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CENTURY    SERMON, 

OR 

SKETCHES 

OF 

The  History  of  the  Eighteenth  Century. 

INTERSPERSED  AND  CLOSED  WITH 

SERIOUS  PRACTICAL  REMARKS, 

DELIVERED  AT  NORTH-HAVEN, 
JANUART  I,  1801. 


BY  BENJAMIN  TRUMBULL,  D.  D. 

PASTOR 

Of  the  Church  of  Nortb-Haven* 


NEW-HAVEN : 
PRINTED  BY  READ  AND  MORSE. 


'oor. 
'UNJVKBSITY  t  .ii''Oa«U 


STACK  ANNS 


■>14V 


SRLF 
^  URL 


CENTURY  SERMON, 


I.  CHRONICLES,  XXIX.  2g,  30,  AND  PSALM  LXXVII.  II,  12. 

iVow  the  aSls  of  David  the  king,  first  and  la^ty  behold  tbe^ 
mre  ^written  in  the  book  of  Samuel  the  seer,  audin  the  book  of  Na- 
than the  prophet,  and  in  the  book  of  Gad  the  seer,  'iuith  all  his 
reign  and  his  might,  and  the  times  that  werit  over  him,  and  over 
Israel,  and  over  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  countries, 

J  will  remember  the  works  of  the  Lord:  surely  I  will  re- 
member thy  wonders  of  old,  I  will  meditate  also  of  all  thy  worky 
and  talk  of  thy  doings. 


THE  works  of  the  Lord  are  great,  honorable  and  glorious. 
They  are  fought  out  of  all  thofe  who  have  pleafure  in  them.  His 
workB  jof  providence,  in  the  redemption,  prefervation,  govern- 
ment and  final  falvation  of  the  church,  efpecially,  are  great  and 
marvellous.  They  have  employed  the  thoughts,  the  tongues  and 
pens  of  patx-iarchs  and  prophets,  of  apoftles  and  good  men,  in  the 
various  ages  of  the  world.  They  have  been  the  v/onder  and  joy 
of  faints  and  angels ;  and  will  be  celebrated  in  their  united  fongs, 
for  ever.  They  exhibit  the  glories  of  God  to  men,  and  teach 
them  their  duty  to  him.  How  important  is  it  therefore,  that 
they  Ihould  be  made  known  to  us :  That  they  may  excite  our 
reverence  and  fear  of  him  i  our  gratitude  and  praife,  our  hope 
and  truft  1 

For  thefe  ends,  thofe  excellent  men,  Samuel,  Nathan  and 
Gad,  who  were  prophets  and  teachers  in  the  church,  recorded 
the  great  events  of  David's  reign,  and  the  times  that  went  over 
him,  and  over  Ifrael,  and  over  all  the  neighbouring  kingdoms. — 
This  affords  full  evidence  that  it  is  a  pious  and  honorable  work, 
becoming  the  chara6ler  of  a  teacher  in  the  houie  of  God. 

In  our  text,  David,  the  man  after  God*s  own  heart,  deter- 
mined pioully  to  recolIe6l,  and  raoft  certainly  to  keep  in  his  re- 
meuibrance,  the  wonders,  which,  in  former  generations,  the 
LoKD  had  wrought  for  his  people.  He  formed  a  refolution,  that 
they  ^ould  be  the  fubjcil  of  his  pious  ind  frequent  meditations. 


201 


Ay. 


[    4    3 

and  that  he  would  converfe  upon  tncm,  for  his  own  fupport  and 
conitort,  and  for  the  inftrudlion  and  comfort  of  others.  .  In  how 
many  other  pfahiu;  does  he,  in  a  moft  fubhrae  and  animating  man- 
ner, celebrate  the  divine  works  ?  How  does  he  wake  up  his  glory, 
and  fummon  every  thing  which  hath  life  and  breath  to  praife  the 
Lord,  For  his  mighty  a6ls,  and  for  his  excellent  greatnefs?  How 
does  he  teach  all  men  to  regard  and  contemplate  the  works  of 
God,  and  to  praife  him,  for  the  wondrous  things  he  hath  wrought 
in  all  the  earth  ? 

Anothkr  thing  worthy  of  fpecial  notice,  in  the  words  of  the 
text,  is  the  doclrine  of  the  univerfal  providence  of  God,  fuperin- 
tending  all  the  affairs  of  men — all  the  revolutions  and  events  of 
ancient  and  modern  times.  Whatever  influence  creatures  might 
have  in  them,  the  pfalmill:  teaches  us  that  they  are  the  works  and 
wonders  of  God.  In  numerous  other  pfalms  he  gives  us  the  fame 
view.  Saith  he,  the  l^OKTi  batb  prepared  bis  throne  in  the  beaV' 
ens:  and  bis  kingdom  ruletb  over  ali^.  He  celebrates  the  difpenf- 
ations  of  providence  over  the  fick,  over  travellers,  captives,  mari- 
neis,  the  planters  of  new  countries,  princes  and  nations,  as  gov- 
erning them  in  adverfity  and  in  profperity,  and  in  all  the  various 
conditions  of  life.  In  this  view,  h6  exhorts  all  men  to  praife  the 
Lord  for  his  goodnefs  and  wonderful  worksf.  The  Almighty 
claims  it  as  his  fole  prerogative,  to  govern  all  events.  I  form 
the  light  ^  and  create  darkness:  I  make  peace  ^  and  create  evil:  I 
the  Lord  do  all  these  things^.  It  was  the  do6lrine  of  our  Sav- 
iour that  the  divine  providence  extended  to  all  events,  and  to  all 
things  :  l"h;it  the  haplefs  fparrow  falls  not  on  the  ground  without 
the  notice  of  our  Father  who  is  in  heaven :  That  he  gives  to  the 
grafs  of  the  field,  to  the  tulip  and  the  rofe  their  verdure,  fragrance 
and  beauty.  Saith  the  apoftle,  of  him,  and  through  him,  and  to 
him  are  all  things :  to  whom  be  glory  for  everj], 

I  Having  made  thefc  general  obfervations,  fhowing  the  duty 

of  bringing  into  view  and  devoutly  contemplating  the  works  of 
God,  and  that  we  fliould  view  the  mighty  revolutions  and  events 
of  ages  as  the  operations  of  the  divine  hand,  I  fliall  now  proceed 
to  give  you  a  fi<.etch  of  the  works  of  God,  in  the  century  paft,  in 
Europe  and  other  parts  of  the  old  world:  and  efpecially  of  his 
difpcnfations  towards  America,  the  United  States,  New  Eng- 
land, and  this  town. 

In  this  {ketch  I  fliall  more  efpecially  notice  thofe  events 
which  rcfpe6l  the  church  of  God,  in  which  prophecies  have  been 
fulfilled  and  the  work  of  redemption  advanced. 

•  Piiliii,  ciii.  19 — f  cvii.— J  liaiab,  c,  xlv.  7, — \  Rofli.  xi,  36. 


[    5    3 

At  the  commencement  of  the  laft  century  William  and  Mary 
pelgncd  on  the  throne  of  Great  Britain,  and  L^wis  the  XlVth 
on  the  throne  of  France.  Poland  was  a  powerful  Roman  cath- 
olic kingdom.  At  Rome  the  pope  reigned  with  great  power  and 
magiiificence.  He  was  fupported  by  the  Lewifes,  thofe  poweriul 
kings  of  France,  by  the  emperor  of  Germany,  the  kings  of  Spain, 
Portugal  and  Naples,  and  by  numerous  petty  princes  and  ftates. 
Avignon,  that  large,  opulent  and  capital  city  of  Provence,  in 
France,  where  fcvcn  popes  had  fucceliively  reigned,  with  the 
whole  province  of  the  Venailhn,  was  fubjefl  to  his  dominion. — 
In  America,  the  French  and  Roman  catholics  were  powerful. — 
The  Jefuits,  who  conftituted  the  mcft  deceitful,  intriguing  and 
formidable  branch  of  the  Romilh  hierarchy,  were  in  full  power. 
Thefe  kings  and  priefts,  with  the  v/hole  papal  hierarchy,  in  their 
refpcdlive  kingdoms,  according  to  the  divine  predi6lion,  had  one 
"mind  to  give  their  power  and  ftrength  unto  this  anti-chriftian 
beaft*.      . 

At  this  period,  the  ftate  of  literature  and  civilization  was 
advanced  to  a  confiderable  degree  of  eminence ;  but  its  progrefs 
lince  is  beyond  calculation.  The  improvements  of  the  laft  cen- 
tury, in  philofophy,  aftronomy,  mathematics,  law,  phyfic,  the 
fine  arts,  navigation,  commerce  and  manufadlures  have  exceeded 
all  former  precedent.  New  and  important  difcoveries  have  been 
made  in  the  heavens  and  in  the  earthj".  The  acquaintance  of 
mankind,  with  the  feas,  continents  and  iflands,  with  the  various 
inhabitants  of  the  earth,  with  their  cuftoms,  manners,  religion, 

*  Revelation  xvii.  it,  13. 

f  The  aurora  borealls,  or  northern  light  is  a  new  appearance,  in  the  heav- 
ens, to  this  country,  peculiar  to  the  eighteenth  century.  It  had  been  ieen  in 
Great  Bi  itain,  efpecially  ;n  the  north  ot  Scctland,  for  many  centuries  part,  but 
even  ill  that  country  it  had  net  appeared  for  eighty  or  an  hundred  yeais,  until 
M.trcii  6,  1716.  Its  ill  ft  appearance  in  New  England  was  on  the  i-yth  of 
DcCc!5iber,  1719.  It  appears  to  have  be:n  ?  great  iight,  and  began  about  eight 
o'ciock  in  the  evening.  It  filled  the  country  with  the  greatelt  alai  in  iinagi'):'.ble. 
It  was  tiie  general  opinion  that  it  was  the  fi;;n  of  the  coming  of  the  f<>n  of  man 
in  the  heavens,  and  t!iat  the  judgment  of  t  le  gieat  day  was  about  to  commence, 
Accoidirig  to  the  accjunts  given  by  the  ancient  people,  who  were  Iptilators  of 
it,  tliere  was  litje  fi.ep  in  Mew  England  that  night. 

The  ingenious  M  .  Herfchel  has  m?.de  new  and  ufeful  difcoveries  in  the 
ftcllary  legiuni-.  In  lySz  he  difcovereJ  a  new  planet,  which  has  been  called 
Herfchel,  in  honor  to  the  dilcoverer.  He  hss  made  new  rifcoveries  lines  of  a 
new  regicn  of  ftarf,  bcy^  nd  that  which  hd  been  difcovered  in  piece'iing  ages, 
preftnting  to  the  mind  a  far  more  magnificent  view  of  the  works  of  GOD,  than 
had  been  before  conceived. 


r  g  1 

ClommoJitics,  manufa6lures  and  commerce  has  exceedingly  in* 
creafcd*-.  The  progrefs  in  hiftory  and  geogi'aphy  in  Europe  and 
America,  has  been  very  canliderablef .  In  both  countries  there 
have  been  great  improvements  in  almoft  every  branch  of  agricul- 
ture. In  both  the  progrefs  of  civilization  has  been  rapid.  Nu- 
merous new  and  humane  eftablifhments  have  been  made,  for  the 
ruhcf  and  aihftancc  of  the  poor,  the  infirm,  the  unfortunate  and 
mifcrablc  of  the  human  kind.  A  vaft  number  and  variety  of  in- 
tlrumcnts  have  been  invented  of  great  convenience  and  utility,  in 
manufadures,  hulbandry,  and  the  numerous  branches  of  bufmef& 
which  employ  n\ankiud;[;. 

•  Great  Britain  has  farnKhsd  ten  circumnavigators  the  laft  century) 
Cooke  »7o8;  CiipptTton  ami  Sluloock  1719J  Anfon  1740;  Byion  1764^ 
Wallii  and  Caiteret  1766}  Cook  17685  177*,  1776;  continued  by  Kmg 
1780  i  an  i  fincc  by  Poitlock  1.7S8.  Tiie  Dutch  have  had  one,  Roggcwcin' 
1721  5  and  the  French  on.-,  Boug^inviile  1766.  Other  navigato-s  h<ive  ex- 
plored j>ai  ticiil;ir  parts  of  the  earth,  and  made  new  dilcoverics.  By  them  many 
ntw  iflaniU,  and  imihitudi-s  of  human  beings  have  been  touni,  of  whom  t*ie 
eivilired  world  btfore  had  no  knowledge.  Among  ihefe  are  Fox  ifland  in  the 
Dorth  pacific  ocean,  difcovered  1760;  Suffolk  ifljnds,  1774;  Onheite,  June 
18,  1765  ;  New  Caledonia,  a  large  ifland  in  the  Pacific  ocean,  1774;  Owhy- 
het  iiland,  the  eatternmoll  and  largelt  of  the  Sandwich  Hands,  1778.  This 
iHand  is  about  eighty-fom  milt*  long  and  feventytwo  wide,  and  is  luppofed  to 
contain  I  50,000  inhabit:ints.  It  was  here,  on  the  i4'h  of  February  1779,  that 
the  celebrated  Captain  Cook  fell  a  facrifice  to  the  revenge  of  the  natives. 

•f  Geogriphy,  bi  th  in  Europe  and  Ameiica  was  very  imperfedl.  The 
j^ogiaphy  of  aliuolf  every  |7art  of  the  world,  is  now  much  better  underftood 
ihtii  the  bell  wiiiiu  in  England  knew  that  of  the  American  colonies  a  century 
igo.  The  accounts  which  they  gave  of  the  American  fe:tlcm;nts  were,  in  a 
high  degree  l-.iughable.  But  by  reafon  of  t he  great  increafe  of  navig-;tion,  and 
the  artilttnce  of  good  writers  on  geography,  mankind  are  bccpne  actjuiinted 
with  each  otiier't  countries,  manners,  inteielis,  religion  and  commeic*.  By 
the  affilfsuce  of  the  Reverend  Dr.  Morlc**  Univerfai  Geogiaphy,  and  that  of 
Djflcr  D.vjght'o  for  Ichuois,  Icliool  boys  knoA^  more  of  geography  now,  than 
men  did  an  h  mi'ied  years  ago  ;  niy  more  than  even  the  writers  oi>  geography 
knew  at  tiiat  jjniod.  BcfiJe*,  fcveral  good  hidories  of  ti>c  c^'ionies  have  been 
written  duiing  th-  l;ift  century,  vvliich  ha»e  greatly  increafed  their  knowledge  of 
each  other,  and  ^.cquainted  the  woihi  more  intimately  with  tlieir  affiirs.  Nu- 
fficious  hiltories  of  other  countrie*  were  written  during  th-.  f*me  period,  by  whicli 
knowle.igc  has  been  increaled,  and  the  acquaintance  of  mankind,  in  the  various 
l>jits  ut  the  earth,  wi:h  esch  other  greatly  advanced. 

X  Among  the  numerous  difcovoiies  and  inventions  of  the  Americans  in 
the  lalt  century,  tlic  dilcovery  of  the  philolophv  of  the  elegit  ic  fluid,  and  of  rods 
t>  pitletve  buildings  fiom  t!ie  tremen  ious  eff  <F(i  of  lighti.ir.g  is  woitiy  of  no- 
tictr.  That  great  geiiios  an  1  pliiibiopher,  Dodor  Frankiin,  conceived  the  idea 
of  eUfliicify  ubout  il»e  year  1745,  and  began  to  communicate  his  difcoveries,  in 
Villous  Icttus  to  mei)  <.f  let»rnmj  iw  1746  -tn.i  1747.      He  vv^s  the  fi.Il  and  fo'.e 


[    7    ] 

However,  it  is  remarkable,  that  in  the  midft  of  all  thcfe 
improvements,  light  and  civilization,  the  moft  illuminated  and 
civilized  nations  upon  the  globe,  have  employed  one  half  of  the 
century  in  fierce  and  horrid  warfare.  Between  eleven  and  twelve 
years,  Queen  Anne  and  her  allies  carried  on  a  powerful  and 
bloody  war,  to  defend  themfelves  againft  the  encroachments, 
growing  powers  and  influence  of  Lewis  XiV,  and  to  prei'erve  the 
balance  of  Europe.  The  wars  of  her  fucceffors,  with  France, 
Spain  and  America,  have  employed  them  nearly  forty  years  more. 
About  forty  years  of  the^  fame  period,  thefe  American  colonies 
and  United  States,  have  been  obliged  to  fight  in  their  own  de- 
fence, againft  France,  Spain,  Great  Britain,  and  the  American 
Indians.  Other  nations,  in  Europe  and  other  parts  of  the  earth, 
have  exhibited  the  fame  hoftile  difpofitions,  and  have  engaged  in 
the  fame  work  of  rapine,  defolation  and  death.  What  a  public 
and  ftriking  evidence  have  all  men,  that  violence  is  yet  in  the 
'earth  I  That  their  feet  are  fwift  to  flied  blood ;  and  that  deftruc- 
tion  and  mifery  are  in  their  ways  ? 

In  thefe  mighty  wars  and  convulfions,  kingdoms,  common 
wealths  and  cities  have  been  defpoiled,  overthrown  and  erafed ; 
thrones  and  royalty  have  been  annihilated ;  whole  countries  im- 
poverifhed  and  enflaved,  and  debts  contra6led  which  are  the  afton- 
illiment  of  mankind*.  In  Europe  and  America  great  and  won- 
derful revolutions  have  been  effecled :  and  while  kingdoms,  and 

inven'  or  of  rods  for  the  prefervatlon  of  buildings.  Some  difco  veries  of  this  were 
made  in  Germany,  at  an  early  period,  but  the  Doctor  appears  to  have  bten  the 
firtt  man  who  (o  fully  invelligated  this  branch  of  philofophy.  It  was  net  (b 
fully  inveftigated  aod  eftabliihsd  in  Great  Britain  until  about  twenty  years  after, 
in  1766. 

•  The  debt  of  Great  Britain  is  one  of  the  modern  wond-rs  of  the  worid. 
It  began  in  1697,  and  was  at  that  time  about  5,000,000!.  Af  the  death  of 
King  William  in  1702,  it  was  14,000,000!.  Ai  the  deatli  of  Qiiten  Anne  in 
1713,  it  was  50,000,000).  In  1747,  it  was  64-,79 31797'.  '^s-  ^i"*^'-  ^"  '757» 
when  the  interell  was  reduced  to  3  per  cent,  it  was  110,603,836!.  8s.  ai-i.— 
In  1780,  it  was  upwards  of  200,000,000).  and  in  1790,  it  amounted  nrarly  to 
342,000,000).  befides  an  unfunded  debt  of  30,000,000!.  The  Fiencli  war, 
which  was  proclaimed  in  1756,  coft  th:  nr.tion  90,000,000).  flerling.  This 
debt,  in  one  century,  has  incrvafed  neaily  300  millions.  A  certain  writer  ob- 
ferves  upon  this  debt,  as  it  flood  in  1790.  •'  This  fum  in  carti,  if  put  into 
carts,  each  containing  a  thouland  pounds,  and  two  horfes  to  draw,  allowing 
40  feet  to  each  cart,  would  load  5,000  carts,  and  cover  37  miles  in  length, 
with  a  remainder  of  116  in  the  38  miles.  Were  it  to  be  laid  down  in  guinea* 
in  a  line,  it  would  extend  4,300  miles  in  length  ;  if  laid  down  in  f1iil!ing«, 
would  extend  three  and  a  half  times  round  the  globe."  How  fhould  this  wain 
the  United  States,  and  all  people  upon  earth,  agaiaft  war  and  national  debts. 


E   8   3 

thrones  and  cities  have  difappeared  in  fonie  places,  new  and  in- 
dependent flatus,  republics,  and  cities  have  fprung  up  in  others. 

Another  event  worthy  of  fpecial  notice,  is  the  growth  of 
error,  infidelity,  atheii'm,  the  moft  filthy  and  abominable  doc- 
trines, immoral,  obfcene,  unnatural  and  wicked  praclices.  Deifm, 
which  made  its  firft  appearance  in  France  and  Italy,  about  two 
hundred  and  forty  years  ago,  and  in  England  little  more  than  a 
hundred  and  feventy,  in  the  laft  century,  as  might  naturally  be 
expected,  degenerated  into  the  grolfeft  atheifm.  The  falfe  rea- 
foning  and  diiTolute  lives  to  which  infidelity  led  thofe  who  em- 
braced it,  fo  blinded  and  hardened  them,  that  they  boldly  denied 
the  being,  and  ridiculed  the  very  idea  of  a  Gon.  They  declared 
authority  to  be  a  mere  ufurpation:  That  family  government 
which  God  has  enjoined,  to  be  the  beginning  of  all  tyranny  ;  and 
civil  government  a  curfe.  They  have  declared  chaftity  and  natu- 
ral affe6lion  to  be  mere  prejudices :  and  that  murder,  adultery, 
the  poifoning  of  their  neighbours,  and  other  crimes  of  the  fame 
diabolical  nature,  are  lawful,  and,  as  circumftances  may  be,  virtu- 
ous actions.  Their  writings  and  converfation  are  too  obfcene  to 
be  exprefled  among  people  of  any  modefty.  There  is  no  impiety, 
filthinefs,  villainy,  nor  cruelty  which  they  do  not  vindicate.— 
They  have  confpired  againft  religion,  fociety,  government  and 
God  himfelf.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  century  they  fpreaci  their 
infernal  dodlrines  and  manners  far  and  wide,  in  France  and  Ger- 
many, in  feveral  of  the  principal  courts  of  Europe,  and  among 
people  in  other  countries.  By  this  means  they  have  effedled  the 
late  furprizing  revolutions,  in  France,  Germany  and  Italy :  and 
have  filled  Europe  and  other  parts  of  the  world  with  fuch  a  fcenc 
of  horror,  rapine,  death  and  carnage,  as  has  no  parallel  in  mo- 
dern ages** 

In  thefe  wars  and  revolutions,  God  in  his  providence,  has, 
in  a  confpicuous  manner  accompliflied  the  predidlions  of  his  word, 
and  diminiflied  the  refources,  wealth,  power  and  influence  of  the 

•  See  numerous  quotations  at  large,  from  thefe  writers,  in  jirofcflor  Rob- 
infon's  jiioof  ot  a  confpiracy  3g:iinft  ull  religions  and  governoHnis  }  and  the 
Abbe  BsriuePs  ^iltory  of  J  co!)inirin.  R  ad  alCi)  Govlwin,  and  know  fa6t« 
from  bis  owi\..Qtt^.  It  is  very  remarkable  how  GoD  m  his  providence,  is  re- 
tnliiting  U(>on  moft  of  the  ourts  and  princts  in  Europe,  their  own  wickednefs. 
7  hey  have  joined  witb  infidels  in  a^lng  agiiolt  GOD,  his  word  and  the  gla- 
lious  Siviour,  anl  uo^m  he  is  I'uffciing  thofe  very  immoral  and  abominable  doc- 
ujoes  and  prafticts  which  thsy  encoiiinged,  to  be  a  nneans  of  ftiakiiig  them  fiom 
their  thrones  anl  filling  their  kingdoms  with  rapine,  violence  and  death.  How 
trrrible  h  is  GoD  ftiown  himftlf  to  the  kin^*  '^f  t'^e  earth.  Has  he  not  brought 
thepricces  to  nothing,  and  madj  the  judges  of  the  earth  as  vanity  ? 


Roman  anti-chrift.  Within  the  laft  half  ccnturj',  the  order  of  Je- 
fuits  has  been  abohfli-id*;  and  other  orders  of  the  Romifh  clergy, 
in  ieveral  papal  countries,  have  been  fupprefled  or  greatly  re* 
duccdf.  In  ibme,  their  permanent  eftates  have  been  confifcated. 
The  inquifition  in  fome  popifli  countries  has  been  abolifhed;|;,  and 
in  others  greatly  ameliorated.  Poland,  as  a  diftindl  kingdom,  is  no 
morejj.  Venice,  the  Sardinian  monarchy,  and  the  popifh  part  of 
Switzerland,  as  political  bodies,  have  vanilhed  in  the  late  memo- 
rable revolutions.  Auftria  and  the  whole  German  empire  have 
been  greatly  impoverithed,  weakened  and  deeply  wounded.  Rome 
and  Naples  have  been  taken,  plundered  and  exceedingly  weak- 
ened,    Italy  has  been  conquered,  impoveriflied  and  laid  wafte. 

In  France,  the  throne  of  the  Louis's,  thofe  firm  and  pow- 
erful fupporters  of  popery  has  been  overthrown,  and  royalty  an- 
nihilated. The  Romifh  hierarchy  has  been  perfecuted  and  de- 
ftroyed  with  hatred  and  cruelty  which  have  no  example.  Thou- 
fands  of  the  clergy  have  been  flain  or  banilhed,  and  their  eftate* 
confifcated.  Not  only  in  France,  but  in  Belgium,  the  influence 
of  the  clergy  has  been,  in  a  manner  deftroyed,  and  tneir  immenfe 
wealth  taken  from  them,  and  employed  for  fecular  purpofes.  la 
France,  Spain,  Germany,  Italy  and  Egypt,  millions  have  fJferiflied 
in  the  revolutionary  wars. 

At  the  fame  time  the  perfonal  revenues  of  the  pope  have 
been  exceedingly  diminifhed,  and  in  a  good  meafure  annihilated. 
Avignon,  that  ancierit  and  opulent  city,  and  the  whole  province 

B 

*  The  JefMitt  were  a  famous  order  of  priefts  Jn  the  Romiih  church,  ef- 
tablifhed  under  ihe  name  of  the  company  of  J.'fus,  A.  D.  1540.  Their  foun. 
der  was  Ignstius  Loyola,  a  Spanish  gentleman  of  iiiuWriOos  rank.  They 
made  a  rapid  and  aiiunifliing  progreis  through  alt  the  Roman  catholic  coun* 
tiieif  and  had  great  influence  until  they  weie  iupprcITed  iu  1773. 

t  Friar*  and  Nuni  were  fupprUTed  to  Germany,  A.  D.  1785,  In  Franct 
»79o- 

X  All  torturr  w?t  aholiihed,  and  a  toleration  of  religious  faith  gifiinted,  ia 
A'lftiia,  1776.  The  inquifition,' in  fiance,  was  abolilhed  by  edift,  Auguft 
»5,  17S0J  at  Naples,  J781. 

I  Poland  fijfFrcd  a  dsfalcatioa  of  ftveral  of  its  provinces,  by  Ruflit, 
PriiflVi,  and  the  E  iiperor  of  Germany,  in  177*.  M.iy  3,  1791,  Ilie-Ciowa 
Y»as  made  lieredita-y,  and  it«  citizens  adaiitt.-d  to  civil,  military,  and  ecclcfi- 
altical  eruployments.  Since  that  period  it  ha«  been  conqiered,  ibe  k.i.)§  d«. 
v^  poied,  and  (bt  kingdom  diridcd  piiKcpilly  bitw«e»»  tb«  tyrants  wf  KujCi  3*>f 
Vxviin, 


[  10  3 

of  wliich  it  was  the  capital,  has  been  taken  from  him"*.  The 
late  pope  was  feized,  divefled  of  all  temporal  doiiiinion,  reftri6led 
to  a  certain  penllon,  and  exiled  from  his  royal  city.  For  a  cer- 
tain time  the  beaft  ceafed  to  reign  on  the  feven  mountains.  A 
fuccelfor,  it  is  true,  has  been  chofen  and  crowned.  But  what 
dominion,  refources  or  influence  has  he?  Is  not  the  myftical  Eu* 
phrates  dried  up?  Is  there  not  a  drought  upon  all  its  waters? 

Can  we  not  in  thefe  great  events  clearly  fee  the  accomplifli- 
ment  of  feveral  of  the  divine  predidlions,  efpecially  under  the 
fixth  vial!  What  can  more  clearly  anfvver  to  the  defcriptiou  of 
the  three  unclean  fpirits,  the  fpirits  of  devils,  working  miracles, 
and  going  forth  unto  the  kings  of  the  earth,  and  of  the  whole 
world,  to  gather  them  to  t|ie  battle  of  that  great  day  of  God  Al- 
mighty, than  the  teachers  of  thofc  impious  and  filthy  do6lrines 
of  which  I  have  juft  been  fpeaking  ?  Have  they  not  above  all 
men,  in  any  period  of  the  world,  openly,  boldly,  and  explicitly 
contended  againft  God  ?  Have  tlicy  not,  in  a  veiy  extraordinary 
manner,  gathered  the  kipgs,  and  a  great  proportion  of  the  inhab- 
itants of  th(!learth  to  fight  ngamfl  God?  Arc  they  not  flill  ga- 
thering th.e'm,  together?  is  not  the  figurative  Euphrates  dr}"ing 
up;  aijd  tlie  >v,ay  preparing,  ft^r  the  deftrudlion  of  the  mvftical 
Babylon?  ' 

Is  it  not.  remarkable  indeed,  that  the  ten  kings,  the  fame 
earthly  powers,  which,  for  a  time,  had  one  mind  to  give  their 
power  and  ftrength  unto  tlie  beaft, '  lliould  now  hate  and  deftroy 
him  ?  Is  it  not  worthy  of  fpecial  notice,  that  France,  the  very 
power  v/hofe  king,  nearly  ten  centuries  and  a  half  fince,  railed 
the  pope  to  teraporalp^yer  and  dominion,  fliould  be  the  firll  lo 
implacably  to  hate  him,  aiicl,  with  fuch  power  and  fuccefs,  to  begin 
tlie  work  of  his  dellrudilion  ?  Is  there  not  Ibmething  in  this  rapid 
decline  of  popery,  in  the  ftiaking  of  all  the  Roman  catholic  king- 
doms, and  the  deitru(Slion  of  fo  many  men  of  eminence  and  figare 
among  them,  which  leoks  like  tlic  falling  of  the  tenth  part  of  the 
city,  and  the  flaying  of  feven  thoufand  men  of  name  I  At  leaft, 
do  we  not  fee  the  commencement  of  them  ?  How  ftrongly  do 
thefe  great  events  witnefs.  That,  known  unto  Gqp»  are  all 
his  wwks  from  the  foundation  of  the  world?  Wliat  new  and 
increafn/.r  evidence  do  they  e:ihibit  that-  the  fcri|)turcs  are  u. 
divine  w<.ird ! 


•  Avignon  wni  ta-ken  from  the  Pope  by  the  King  of  France,  1769.  Cut 
on  the  fupprrflion  of  the  Jc(uit»,  four  years  aftei,  it  was  ifrt<xe('.  In  1791. 
it. wa»  declared  to  belong  to  Frunee,  and  he  has  had  no  pcfllHion  of  it  fincc  thai 


t  II  3 

Amekica,  New  England,  and  the  United  States,  in  the 
ifeme  period,  have  witncfled  great  events  and  i'alvations.  At  the 
cojuinencemtnt  of  the  century,  they  were  few  in  number,  poor, 
and  I'cattered  over  a  vaft  tra6l  of  country,  the  principal  part  of 
"which  was  a  vail  wildernels.  Their  wants,  eneiiiics,  and  dangers, 
were  great  and  many.  Queen  Anne's  long,  war  impoveriihed, 
weakened  and  almoft  ruined  the  Northern,  and  greatly  diftreHed 
ibme  of  the  Southern  colonies. 

In  1707,  the  French  invaded  South  Carolina,  demanded  the 
furrender  ot  Charleilown,  landed  in  fcveral  places,  and  burnt  a 
number  of  buildings.  They  were,  neverthelcfs,  through  a  variety 
of  providential  circumftances,  remarkably  defeated.  Of  about 
eight  hundred  of  the  enemy,  nearly  three  hundred  were  killed  and 
taken.  Among  the  latter  was  Monfieur  Arbufet,  commander  in 
chief  by  land,  with  a  number  of  naval  officers,  who  offered  ten 
thoufand  pieces  of  eight  for  their  ranibm. 

The  maffacre  of  the  Palatines,  and  war  with  the  Tufcaroras 
in  1712,  alid  the  general  riling  of  the  Indians  in  1715,  exceed- 
ingly diftreffed  the  colony,  and  threatened  its  total  extirpation. 
But,  in  the  mount  of  difficulty,  God  appeared  for  the  diilrefled 
colony  and  granted  a  fignal  victory. 

The  New  England  colonies,  during  the  war,  made  great 
exertions  to  defend  themfelves  againft  the  enemy.  In  1710  they 
were  fuccefsful  in  an  expedition  againft  P^rt  Royal.  The  next 
year,  they,  with  the  Province  of  New  York,  made  extraordinary 
exertions  for  the  redu6\ion  of  Canada.  But  the  defign  failed  by 
reafon  of  the  fliip wreck  of  the  fleet  in  the  river  St.  Lawrence. 

Ix  1742,  Georgia  experienced  a  memorable  deliverance.— 
About  the  laft  of  June  a  Spanilli  fleet  of  thirty-two  fail,  with  more 
than  three  thoufand  men  on  board,  under  the  command  of  Don 
Manuel* de  Monteano,  came  to  anchor  near  the  fort.  They  foon 
pafted  it,  an.d  proceeding  up  the  river,  oufof  the  reath  of  its  can- 
non, landed  the  troops  and  ere\Sled  a  battery  of  twenty  eighteen 
pounders.^  The  enemy  iiad  a  fine  artiilery,  under  a  good  com- 
mander. But  General  Oglethorpe,  with  I'even  hundred  men,  and 
fome  friendly  Indians,  defended  hinifelf  for  a  confiderabie  time,  and 
finally,  by  a  ftratagem,  caufed  them,  after  iuflaining  conflderablc 
lofs,  to  raife  the  liege  and  quit  tiie  colony. 

The  capture  of  Louifburg,  by  the  New  Englanders,  affiftcd 
by  a  few  of  the  King's  fliips,  in  1745,  was  a  truly  memorable 
event*     lu  confequeuces  to  New  Englaud,  Vj  Great  Britain,- 


mnd  France  were  prodigious.  The  prizes  taken,  during  andaftcir 
the  ficgc,  amounted  to  about  a  million  fterliiig.  The  French 
filhory  on  the  coaft  was  deftroyed,  the  trade  of  the  colonies  was 
prcfervcd,  the  Newfoundland  fishery  reftored.  Nova  Scotia  and 
the  Eaftern  Coaft  prote6led.  What  was  ftill  more  important,  it 
finally  puichafed  a  peace  for  the  nation. 

The  next  year  New  England  experienced  a  deliverance  ne- 
ver to  be  forgotten.  The  French,  fired  with  refentment  at  the 
lodes  they  had  fuftained  in  America,  determined  on  the  recovery 
of  Louilburg,  the  conqueft  of  Nova  Scotia,  the  deftru6lion  of 
Bofton,  and  the  ravaging  of  the  American- coufts  from  Nova  Sco- 
tia to  Georgia.  The  armament  defigned  for  this  mighty  work  of 
deftru6lion,  confifted  of  eleven  ftiips  of  the  line,  and  thirty  fmaller 
Jhips  of  war,  from  thirty  to  ten  ginis.  It  was  accompanied  with 
tranfports,  carrying  between  three  and  four  thoufand  regular 
troops.  Thefe  were  to  form  a  jun6lion  with  fifteen  hundred 
French  and  Indians,  at  Nova  Scotia.  The  Duke  D*Anville,  a 
nobleman  of  diftinguifhed  abilities,  in  whofe  courage  and  condu6l 
the  French  had  repoled  the  greateft  confidence,  was  appointed  to 
command  the  armament.  Monfieur  Pomeret  commanded  the  land 
forces.  As  early  as  the  beginning  of  May,  this  formidable  fleet 
was  ready  for  lea  ;  but  it  was  fo  detained  by  contrary  winds,  that 
the  Admiral  could  not  leave  the  coafts  of  France  until  the  aid  of 
June.  Admiral  Martin,  with  a  fleet  of  obfcrvation,  waited  be- 
fore the  harbour  to  prevent  his  failing,  but  he  got  out  unnoticed, 
and  proceeded  without  moleftation.  The  Duke  detached  Monf. 
Conflans  with  three  fliips  of  the  line  and  a  frigate,  to  convoy  the 
trade  to  Cape  Francois  in  Hifpaniola,  with  dii-eclions  to  join  him 
at  Chebu6lo,  the  place  of  general  rendezvous.  This  powerful 
fleet  and  army  were  now  left,  without  the  leaft  moleftation  from 
any  human  being,  to  carrj'  into  execution  all  their  mighty  works 
of  deftru6lion  againft  the  colonies.  It  was  now  left  wholly  to 
Him,  who  difappoirfteth  the  devices  of  the  crafty,  and  taketh  the 
prey  froni  the  mighty,  to  fave  the  colonies,  and  efpecially  New 
England,  from  ruin.  Let  us  behold  with  grateful  aftonifliment, 
how  he  wrought  for  their  falvatlon.  Beiide  laying  an  embargo  on 
them,  for  more  than  fix  weeks  before  they  failed,  he  caufed  their 
palTage  to  be  ftonny  and  tedious.  Like  the  chariots  of  Pharaoh, 
when  the  Lokd  looked  upon  them,  they  moved  heavily.  At  mora 
tlian  three  hundl"ed  leagi;es  from  the  place  of  their  deftination,  one 
of  iheir  firft  rate  fliips  became  fo  difabled,  that  the  mariners  were 
obliged  to  burn  her.  Soon  after,  tliey  were  overtaken  with  a 
ftorni,  which  lb  injured  the  fleet,  that  three  more  ftiips  of  the  line 
were  obliged  either  to  bear  away  for  the  Weft  Indies,  or  return  to 
Frajice.     It  was  not  until  the  lith.  of  September,  that  the  Duke 


i  13  ] 

D'AnvUle  arriveJ  at  Chebu6lo,  accompanied  wic(i  one  fiiip  of  the 
•line  and  four  tranfports  onl)'.  But  one  fliip  had  got  in  before 
him.  Conflans  had  arrived  on  the  coaft  fome  time  before ;  and, 
not  finding  the  fleet,  returned  to  France.  This  long  and  difaft- 
rous  paffage  had  totally  deranged  his  whole  plan.  He  waited  un- 
til the  1 6th,  and  not  one  of  the  ihips  of  w»r  arriving,  and  but 
three  of  his  tranfports,  he  was  fo  affe6led  with  difappointment 
and  chagrin,  that  it  broaght  on  him  an  apopleplic  fit,  or  be  drank 
poifon,  and  died  fuddenly  the  fame  morning.  In  the  afterjioon, 
after  his  death,  the  Vice  Admiral,  with  four  Ihips  of  the  line  and 
foijtie  tranfports,  arrived  in  port.  By  reafon  of  the  long  palfage, 
the  troops  arrived  in  an  extremely  lick  and  mlferable  condition. 
The  Adniiral  was  dead,  Corifluns  was  gone  for  France,  more- 
than  half  the  foixe  defigned  for  the  expedition  had  not  arrived, 
and  the  fealon  for  ;:clion  was  far  Ipcnt ;  JU'liftournelle  was  thf^re- 
fore  for  giving  up  the  expeilition,  and  returning  to  France.  He 
propofed  it  in  council,  to  his  ofiicers;  but  Mo:ifi:jur  De  la  Jon- 
quiere,  governor  of  Canada,  who  was  the  third  in, command,  with 
a  majority  bf  his  officeis,  for  nearly  eight  hours  violently  oppofed 
him.  De  la  Jonquiere  and  his  party  infifted,  that  the  fick,  with 
frefli  air  and  provifions,  would  foon  recover,  and/that  they  were 
ai)le,  at  leall,  to  re<luce  Annapolis  and  Nova  Scotia  :  After  which 
they  might  fafely  winter  in  Cafco  Bay,  or  return  to  France,  as 
fliould  bell  fuit  their  inclinations.  The  iflue  of  the  debate  was  a 
reje6lion  of  D'Eftournelie's  propofition.  This  threw  him  into 
fuch  an  extreme  agitation,  that  it  brought  on  a  fever,  and  threw 
him  into  a  delirium.  He  feemed  to  be  imitten  with  a  divine  ter- 
ror, and  put  a  period  to  his  own  life.  Jonquiere,  who  was  a 
man  of  fkill  and  experience  in  war,  and  zealous  for  the  honor 
and  welfare  of  his  country,  fucceeded  him,  and  greatly  raifed  the 
expectations  of  the  fleet  and  army. 

On  the  28th  of  September,  certain  intelligence  came  to  Bof- 
toTi,  of  the  arrival  of  the  fleet  at  Chebudlo.  It  was  reported  to 
be  more  numerous  than  it  really  was  when  it  failed  from  France, 
and  there  was  not  the  leaft  intimation  of  the  damages  it  had  re- 
ceived. England  was  not  more  alarmed  with  the  Spanifli  Arma- 
da, in  1588,  than  Bofton  and  New  England  were  at  the  news  of 
this  armament  at  Chebudlo.  Every  poflible  meafure  of  defence 
was  immediately  adopted.  In  a  few  days  fix  thoufand  and  four 
hundred  of  the  inland  militia  marched  into  Bofton.  Six  thoufand 
more  were  to  march  on  the  firft  notice,  from  Conne6licut,  to  the 
afliftance  of  their  brethren.  The  reft  of  the  militia  were  to  be 
retained  for  the  defence  of  the  fea  coafts.  In  the  mean  time,  the 
good  people  were  proftrate,  feeking  the  divine  aid.  The  confe- 
quences  were  happy,  the  enemy  never  pame  againft  a  city,  a  vil* 


t'    14    ] 

lage,  or  a  fingle  /ortrefs,  or  fliot  an  nrrow  there,  Sicknefs  and 
death,  in  fuch  an  exti-aordinary  manner,  emptied  the  ir  ftiips,  * 
thinned  their  ranks,  and  vrafted  all  the  adjacent  country — inch 
ftorms  and  difafters  conftantly  attended  them,  that  they  finally 
returned  tfith  great  lofs  and  fhame  to  their  own  country*.  OuF 
fathers  flood  flUl  and'faw  the  lalvation  of  the  Lord. 

Ik  the  French  war,  which  was  proclaimed  in  1756,  the  coK 
«»!ue5  experienced  a  great  falvation.  The  French,  for  more  thart 
hail  a  century,  had  been  planning  their  total  extirpation.  They 
had  nearly  encompaffed  them,  on  the  land  fide,  with  a  line  of 
fortifications;  and  their  plans  were  juft  ripe  for  execution.  But 
"^hofc  memorable  events,  the  capture  of  LouHourg  and  Quebec, 
und  the  conqucft  of  all  Canada,  in  the  courfe  of  the  war,  broke 
vip  their  bloody  defigns,  and  threw  them  into  the  pit,  which  they 
had  digged  for  their  neighbours.  The  celfion  of  all  that  country 
to  Great  Britain  at  the  clofe  of  the, war,  was  of  high  confidera- 
tion  to  the  then  American  colonies,  and  to  the  churches  of 
Christ.  It  gave  them  a  happy  feafon  to  refl,  populate,  in- 
c.reaie  their  fcttlements,  refources,  and  importance.  It  exceed- 
ingly weakened  the  papal  intereft,  in  America,  and  enlarged  and 
fecured  the  proteflant  territories  and  churches.  It  was  an  im- 
portant part  of  that  great  feries  of  events,  which  prepared  the 
way  for  the  celTion  of  fuch  extenfive  territories  to  the  United 
States,  at  the  clofe  of  the  revolutionary  war.  Who  can  but  be 
filled  with  a  reverential  and  grateful  admiration,  in  view  of  the 
immenle  and  gracious  defigns  of  providence,  in  cauling  that  chain 
of  fortreffes  which  had  been  ere6led  around  them  to  be  delivered 
into  their  power,  and  to  be  the  means  of  their  enlargement,  con- 
venience and  defence. 

The  repeal  of  the  flamp  acl  was,  doubtlefs,  a  very  effential 
part  of  that  fcherae  of  providence,  which  led  to  the  prefent  inde- 
pendence and  freedom  of  the  United  States.  Had  Great  Britain 
perfifted  in  carrying  it  into  execution,  it  is  not  improbable  that 
ihe  would  have  fucceeded.  America  was  not  then  able  to  refill. 
Had  file  fubmittcd  to  that,  it  is  very  doubtful  whether  the  revo- 
lution would  hare  ever  been  efFe6led. 

•  The  Acadian!  and  Indians  fiocking  to  the  Fiench  camp,  with  freflj  pro- 
vifions,  took,  the  contagion  ^  and  it  wag  I'uppofeil,  that  nearly  half  of  the  inha. 
hitants  of  the  adjacent  country  died  with  the  inhition.  Befides  the  loi*  of  cwo 
AJmiralt  and  a  great  proportion  of  troops,  marines  and  lea>uen,  the  F'ench 
loft  three  capital  ihips.  The  Caribou  they  were  obliged  to  burn  at  Tea,  the 
Mars  ^s  taken  by  the  Nottingham,  jutt  a<  flia  arrived  on  the  coafts  of  Frarce, 
ai»4  thf  Alcilt  wswdiivcn  oh  Ihorc  by  ths  Exeter,  and  buir.t. 


[    15   1  , 

The  American  revolution,  in  which  thefe  United  States  af- 
"lumed  the  rank  of  free,  fovereign  and  independcHt  powers ;  and 
in  confequence  of  which  they  have,  in  fo  fhort  a  period,  rifen  to 
their  prefent  ftate  of  ftrength,  opulence,  profperitj  and  refpe6la- 
bility,  is  one  of  the  greateft  and  moft  memorable  event*  of  the  laft 
century.  That  a  people,  who,  at  the  commencement  of  the  war, 
had  not  a  regidar  regiment,  nor  a  fortified  town,  nor  a  Ihip  of  warj 
who  had  neither- money,  arms,  nor  military  {lores,  ftiould  main- 
tain a  feven  years  war,  with  one  of  the  moft  warlike  and  power- 
ful nations  upon  earth ;  that  they  flaould  capture  two  complete 
armies,  and  finally  obtain  their  independence,  ought  ever  to  be 
acknowledged  as  one  of  the  wonderful  workg  of  Goo, 

New  England,  and  the  American  States  have  not  bnljh 
been  wonderfully  prote6ted,  but  increafed.  At  the  commejice- 
ment  of  this  cef^tury,  the  inhabitants  of  New  England,  I  fuppofe, 
did  not  amount  to  more  than  forty-five  or  fifty  thoufands,  and 
now  they  probably  exceed  a  million.  The  whole  number  of  min- 
ifters,*  in  New  England,  was  about  one  hundred  and  twenty; 
four  within  the  province  of  New  Hampfhire,  one  in  the  province 
of  Maine,  eighty-fix  in  Maffachufetts,  and  twenty-eight  in  Con- 
ne6licut.  Now  there  are  in  New  England,  I  fuppofe,  about  fe- 
ven hundred  congTegational  and  preibyterian  minifters ;  about 
thirty-feven  epifcopSlian,  and  nearly  one  hundred  and  fixty  bap- 
tift  minifters.  The  churches  are  much  more  numerous.  In 
Mafiachufetts  there  are  more  than  eighty  vacant  churches,  ex- 
chdive  of  the  counties  of  Hancock  and  Walhington,  in  which  are 
moi-e  than  40,000  inhabitants,  with  not  more  than  three  or  four 
pegular  minifters.  In  New  Hampfliire  there  are  about  forty  va- 
cancies in  the  congregational  cliurches.  In  Conneflicut  there  are 
twelve.  In  the  epifcopalian  and  baptift  churches  there  are  many 
more  vacancies  in  proportion  to  their  numbers. 

The  population  and  fettlement  of  the  United  States,  the 
incrcafe  of  their  navigatioti,  commerce  and  hufbandry,  efpecially 
fince  the  revolution,  have  exceeded  all  parallel.  From  an  hun- 
dred, or  an  hundred  and  fifty  thoufands,  they  have,' in  a  century, 
increafed,  probably  to  nearly  fix  millions.  Their  navigation,  a  cen- 
tury ago,  nay,  at  the  pacification  witli  Great  Britain,  was  next 
to  nothing,  and  now  the  American  fla^  is  difplayed  in  the  ports  o£ 
ahnoft  every  commercial  ftate  and  kingdom  upon  the  globe.  The 
United  States  have  now  more  tons  of  (hipping  upon  the  feas  thart 
any  other  nation  upon  the  earth,  except  Great  Britain.  Theii* 
fiflieries  have  increafed  in  fome  happy  proportion  to  that  of  their 
numbers  and  fcttlements.     The  old  colenies,  n«w  ftates,  have  ci- 


t  ^  ] 

cceAiiiglv  extended  their  fettlcments,  and  four  or  five  nftW  one* 
have  been  added  to  them*. 

CoNM-cTicuT,  fince  the  beginning  of  the  1  aft  century,  has 
increnfiid,  from  about  fourteen  or  fifteen  thoufands  of  inhabitants  to 
two  hundred  and  fifty  or  fixty  thoufands.  Within  its  limits,  at 
that  period,  there  were  thirty-eight  churches,  illuminated  by  the 
fame  number  of  minillers.  Now  there  are  more  than  two  hun- 
dred of  eachf .  At  that  period,  except  jufl  in  the  centre  of  the 
towns,  it  was  a  wildernels.  Now  it  is  covered  with  beauti- 
ful xnllages,  towns  and  cities,  and  appears  like  a  well  inclofed  and 
cultivated  garden. 

Just  after  the  commencement  of  the  century  Yale  college 
was  founded,  which,  conlidering  its  fmall  endowments,  for  many 
vears  at  firft,  has  pi'ofpered  beyond  all  parallel.  It  has  been  a 
fource  of  blefhngs  to  the  church  and  commonwealth.  More 
than  two  thoufand  and  five  hundred  have  received  its  public  hon- 
ors. Of  thefe,  two  hundred  and  thirty-five  have  been  exalted  to 
the  feat  of  magiftracy.  Nearly  eight  hundred  have  flione  as  lu- 
minaries in  the  American  churches.  Others  have  been  eminent 
in  the  profelTion  of  law,  phyfic,  and  natural  philofophy,  of  eccle- 
llaftical  hifloiy  and  the  learned  languages,  'fhe  State  abounds 
with  academies  and  fchools,  and  with  refpe6l  to  the  degree  of  na- 
tural and  moral  inflruflion,  with  which  it  is  every  where  illu- 
minated, it  has  no  rival.  Conne6licut  has  not  only  fettled  and 
cultivated  its  own  territories,  but  has  borne  a  large  fhare  in  plant- 
ing, peopling,  and  forming  churches,  in  all  the  other  States. — 
Her  inhabitants  fettled  Minas  in  Nova  Scotia,  Wyoming  in  Pen- 

•  The  fettlement  of  Giorgia  commenced  17J3.  The  firft  fettlement  in 
Vermont  was  at  fort  Diunmer  on  Connefticut  river,  in  the  year  1714.  But  the 
general  fettlement  ot  the  State  iliil  net  begin  until  after  the  tern  inaiion  of  the 
French  war,  in  176a.  In  Janu  ry  1777,  at  a  get^eral  convention  of  tlietepre- 
ientatives  of  the  towns,  it  was  dtclareU  a  dillir£l,  free  and  independent  State. 
On  the  1 8th  of  February  1791,  it  was  unanitnouily  admitted  into  the  union  of 
ilie  Americ:»n  States.  Tlic  puichafc  of  Kentucky  wag  made  in  1775.  The 
fettlement  began  about  1778.  The  Weftern  Territory  was  made  a  government 
under  certaiii  cnditions,  July  13,  1787.  This  is  very  cxlenfive,  containirg 
411,000  fqu^re  mile<:,  equal  to  263,040,000  acres.  By  a£l  of  Congiefs  it  may 
be  divided  into  five  diflin^  States, 

•{•  There  are  in  this  i-ate  178  congregational  paftors,  and  about|90  churches. 
Theteare  zoepifcopaiian  minitters,  16  pluralities,  and  17  vacancies,  comprizing 
in  the  whole,  51  congregations.  The  baptifts  have  25  minillers,  and  fcveral 
vac^tocieSf  The  paftors  have  formed  themfelves  into  two  affociation*,  by  the 
Bsoies  of  the  Stonington  AfTociation,  and  of  the  Danbu'j  AH'ociation* 


fylvania,  large  and  numerous  tra6ls  in  Manachufetts,  Kew 
Hampiliire,  Vermont,  New  York,  New  Jeriey,  and  even  at 
Mufkingum.  Her  fons  have  been  envoys  to  foreign  kingdoms, 
governors,  members  of  Congrefs,  chief  judges,  and  generals  in 
this  and  other  States.  They  have  been  prefidents  in  their  col- 
leges, heads  of  their  academies,  teachers  in  their  fchools,  and 
minifters  in  their  churches.  They  have  been  mifllonaries  in  the 
new  fettlements,  and  to  the  heathen. 

Imdikd,  literature,  civilization,  and  every  thing  wliich  can 
ameliorate  the  ftate  of  man,  hath  been  rapidly  increafing,  in  the 
United  States  in  general.  At  the  commencement  of  the  laft  cen- 
tury, there  was  but  one  college  completely  founded  in  New  Eng- 
land. Now  there  are  Ti\*,  In  all  the  colonies,  now  States, 
fouth  of  Conne6licut,  there  was  then  but  one,  now  there  are  fif- 
teen or  fixteenf . 

C 

•  Cambridge  umrerfityi  founded  i<38,  was  the  only  college  In  New  Eng- 
land before  the  laft  century.  In  1700  a  ntimber  of  minifteit  met  at  New  Ha- 
ven, and  gave  about  40  volumes  of  books  for  the  founding  of  a  college  in  Can- 
nefticut.  la  1701  the  general  allembly  gave  a  charter,  and  gave  a  iegl  eftab« 
liAiment  to  the  college,  which  has  fince  been  called  Yale  college.  The  college 
at  Providence,  in  the  Stare  of  Rhode  Ifland,  was  founded  1764.  D  rtmoutb, 
in  the  State  of  New  Hampfhire,  in  1769.  Williamftown  college,  in  Miffjchu- 
fctts,  was  inltituted  1793.  The  Rev.  Ebenezer  Fitch,  for  ftveral  yeiri  a  tu- 
tor in  Yait  college,  is  prefident.  A  college  has  been  latrly  inllitutcil  in  Bur- 
lington, in  the  State  of  Vermont,  ^nd  the  Rev.  Jerenaiah  Atwater,  vihowas 
aifo  a  tutor  in  Yale  college,  has  been  appointed  to  the  prefideacy  of  it. 

f  William  and  Mary  college,  jn  Virginia,  founded  1692,  was  the  only 
college  in  the  colonies  fouth  of  New  England,  until  after  the  commencement  of 
the  bft  century.  King's  college,  in  New  York,  was  founded  in  1754.,  and 
Union  college  at  Scheneitady,  in  1794.  Naffau  hall,  at  Princfton,  was  iiUlitutsd 
1738,  and  Queen's  college,  Brunlwick,  1:775.  In  Pennfylvania,  thtre  are 
thiee  colleges,  the  univerfity  at  Philadelj)hia,  founded  during  the  war;  Dick- 
infon  college,  at  Car!ifls,  eftablid^ed  17SJ,  and  Franklin,  at  Lancafter,  founded 
J787.  Maryland  abounds  in  coUcgea:  In  it  are  Wafhington  collegf,  at  Chef- 
tertown,  in  ilie  county  of  Kent,  founded  i/St,  and  St.  John's,  at  Annapolis, 
eftahli(heJ  1784.  Thele  colleges,  by  an  a6l  of  the  Itgilliture,  conrtitute  one 
univerfity,  by  the  name  of  the  Uniiieniij  of  Maryland.  In  thsfe  colleges  uni- 
formity of  law,  inftru6tion,  manners,  and  cr.ltoms  are  punctually  maintained. 
Tiie  Roman  catholics  created  a  college  at  George  town,  Potowmac,  about  the 
^ear  1780  ;  and  the  niethodifts,  about  three  yeais  before,  infiitutcd  one  at  Ab- 
li'gtoi),  in  ihe  cour.ty  of  Hartford,  named  C<ik£sb::ry  college,  in  honor  to  Tho- 
m  s  C.  ke,  L,  L.  D.  and  Francis  Afb'iry,  hifhops  of  the  method:il  church.  In 
Virginia,  a  fecond  college  has  been  erected,  in  Fijnce  Edward  county,  namtd 
Hampden  Sjdnfj  college.  The  hgillatwre  of  North  Carolina,  In  1789,  inftituted 
.»»  uuiveifity,  by  the  name  of  the  Univenitj  of  Ntrtb  Carolina.    About  len 


God  hath  not  only  wonderfully  enlarged  and  pfotefled  thft 
American  church,  but  granted  her  happy  days  of  fpiritual  reviv- 
ing and  refrefliment.  Bcfides  the  ordinary  blefling  of  God  on  the 
churches  and  colleges  in  this  country,  from  the  beginning,  there 
have  been  extraordinary  fcafons  of  ferioufnefs  and  attention  t& 
religion.  In  1733,  there  was  a  very  great  awakening,  in  many 
towns  in  New  England,  which  continued  for  feveral  years. — 
Happy  additions  were  made  to  the  churchei ;  and  thofe  who  had 
been  good  people  before,  experienced  the  frefli  anointings  of  the 
fpirit,  and  were  filled  with  new  zeal  and  joy*.  The  great  revival 
in  1741,  was  much  more  general  and  powerful.  It  pervaded  New 
England,  and  the  American  colonies  in  general.  The  colleges  in 
New  England  and  New  Jerfey,  efpecially  Yale  college,  and  the 
college  at  Princetown,  have  experienced,  feveral  times  of  re- 
freftiing.  Dartmouth  college,  has  once,  experienced  a  moil  happy 
viiitation.  By  thefe  feafons  of  falvation,  a  number  of  young  men, 
from  time  to  time,  hare  been  raifed  up,  who,  in  their  day,  have 
been  experimental,  powerful  preachers,  and  fignal  bleffings  to  the 
churches.  At  the  time  of  the  general  awakening  in  Dartmouth 
college,  the  towns  in  the  vicinity  participated  in  the  heavenly 
fliower.  In  1783,  a  confiderable  number  of  towns  in  the  county 
of  Litchfield,  and  in  the  county  of  Berkftiire,  in  Mafl'achufetts, 
enjoyed  a  precious  harveft,  in  which  many  fouls  appeared  to  be 
gathered  unto  Christ.  Befides  thefe  more  general  revivals,  par- 
ticular towns  and  pariflies,  in  this  State,  and  in  the  other  States, 
have  been  gracioully  vifited,  when  there  has  been  nothing  fpeeial 
in  the  chuxxhes  round  about  them.  God  hath  difpenfed  his  mer- 
cies in  a  fovereign  manner.  It  hath  rained  upon  one  city,  and 
upon  another  it  hath  not  rained :  One  hath  been  taken  and  ano- 
ther left. 

The  late  awakening  and  ingathering,  which  fo  many  churches 
and  congregations  have  experienced,  for  tv/o  or  three  years  pad, 

t 
years  hnce,  the  State  loaned  5,000!.  to  the  trufteea  to  enable  them  immedlHtely 
to  proceed  with  their  buildings.  li»  South  Carolina  there  have  been  three  col- 
leges iuftitvitcd,  one  at  Chailclton,  another  at  Winnhorongh,  called  Zion  college, 
Hud  a  third  at  Cambiidgi;  j  but  1  bciitvr,  that  at  Chatkftor,  anu  the  other  at 
CambiiJge,  aic  liille  moie  than  relpt^lable  academics. 

Ill  Grorgia  a  coilr?^  has  been  inftituted,  at  Louifville,  and  .imply  endow- 
ed, denominated  the  LZ/i/a.^rj;/;- c/'Gf-er^w.  Jofnh  Mri^s,  ECq.  late  pruf^flor 
•t  mathematics  an»l  natmal  jiluli-iopliy,  in  Yilc  Colicgi-,  Iras  birly  been  cholien 
prefident  of  iuid  uuivcriity,  and  is  piepaiing  to  rcniovc  and  alTuin*  the  prefi. 
4ler.cy. 

•  See  the  Rev.  Jonathan  EJwarJk'  narrative  of  the  wcik,  printed  173*. 


t  19  1 

and  wVich  fome  W*  ftill  experiencing,  ought  particularly,  anJ 
thankfully,  to  be  acknowledged.  Christ  hath  appeared,  walking 
in  the  midft  of  the  golden  candlefticks,  with  greater  power  and 
glory  than  the  churches  have,  at  any  former  period,  experienced. 
The  work  has  been  more  powerful  and  genuine,  and  the  fruits  of 
love,  union,  felf-loathing,  humility,  prayerfulnefs,  righteoufncfs, 
and  peace  hare  been  more  abundant. 

WiTRiM  the  lafl  century,  have  been  formed  all  the  religiouf 
conftitutions,  which  unite  the  American  churches,  one  with  ano- 
ther, and  which  harmonize  and  regulate  their  ecclefiaftical  pro- 
ceedings. The  churches  of  Conne6licut,  aflbciated  and  confo- 
ciated  in  the  beginning  of  the  century,  and  their  religious  confti- 
tution,  was  approbated  and  ellabliihed  by  the  legiflature*.  The 
formation  of  prefbyteries,  fynods,  and  the  general  aflembly 
of  the  preibyterian  churches,  in  the  United  States,  is  of  a 
more  modern  date.  The  formation  of  the  general  aflembly  wa& 
not  efFedled  till  ibme  time  after  the  American  revolution f. — 
Within  a  few  years,  a  general  union  hath  been  formed  between 
the  general  aflembly  of  the  preibyterian  churches,  in  the  United 
States,  and  the  general  aflbciation  of  the  State  of  Conne6licut. 
A  fiaiilar  union  hath  been  effefled,  the  lafl:  year,  between  the  gen-- 
eral  aflbciation  of  the  State  of  Connedlicut,  and  the  convention  of 
miniftiers  in  the  State  of  Vermont.  By  thefe  tmions,  the  pafl:ors 
and  churches  are  brought  into  a  more  general  and  intimate  ac- 
quaintance with  each  other,  and  with  the  general  fl:ate  of  the 
churches  and  of  religion ;  are  under  better  advantages  to  give  ad- 
vice, guard  againft  vice  and  error,  againft  erroneous  and  immoral 
miniilers  and  mere  impoftors ;  to  a6l  with  more  united  and  har- 
monious exertion  and  influence  in  promoting  divine  knowledge, 

•  October,  170S. 

+  The  fynod  of  New  Yoik  antl  Philadelphia,  at  their  fcfflons  1788,  divided 
into  four  fynods :  viz.  the  I'ynod  of  New  York  and  New  Jerfey,  the  fyned  of 
Philadslphia,  the  fynod  of  Virginia,  and  the  fynod  of  the  Carolinas.  Theie 
four  fynocls  were  to  conftitute  a  general  aflembly  j  the  fiift  meeting  of  whici* 
was  appointed  to  be  at  Philadelphia,  in  May,  1789.  At  the  time  of  divifiun, 
the  four  fynods  confiftfd  of  fixteen  prelbytei ies,  in  which  there  were  i3t  pref- 
byters,  who  had  the  care  of  about  210  chuiches;  and  befides  thefe,  there  were 
about  zio  vacant  churchey.  In  1794,  the  nunober  of  pctfbyterics  within  the 
limits  of  the  general  aflembly,  amounted  to  a*}  but  theic;u;ns  from  thtm 
were  fo  deficient,  that  the  increafe  of  prefbyters  and  churches  could  not  be  afcer- 
tained.  The  plan  of  union  between  the  general  aflembly  of  the  prtfbyteriaa 
churches,  in  the  United  States,  and  the  general  aficciation  of  Conntfticut,  was 
agreed  upon,  by  a  committee  of  each,  at  New  Haver,  Septen.ber  15,  1791  J 
and  adopted  by  the  general  aflVtBbly>  May  17.92,  and  by  the  general  afl>c»iiuu», 
the  June  foUowif/g. 


IjoJ 

finity  of  fcntimcnt,  piety,  righteoufnefs,  anci  genuine  chriftianity 
among  theniielves,  and  in  their  rfefpe6live  congregations ;  and 
aho  in  diffufmg  chriftian  knowledge  in  the  numerous  new  and  va- 
cant fettlements,  and  in  communicating  tlie  blefTmgs  of  the  gofpel 
to  the  headien. 

SilrcE  the  American  revolution,  the  epilcopalian  church  in 
the  United  States,  has  been  completely  organized.  The  churches 
of  that  denomination,  in  each  State,  have  their  own  bifhop.  Dr. 
Seabury  was  the  firft  bifliop  in  the  United  States.  He  was  con- 
fecrated  to  his  office  in  Scotland,  November  14,  1794.  The 
epifcopalian  churches  in  Conne6licut,  were  the  firft  in  the  United 
States,  who  enjoyed  the  privilege  of  a  bifliop.  The  epifcopal 
clergy  and  churches  meet  in  a  general  convention,  or  in  particu- 
lar conventions  in  each  State,  as  they  judge  moft  convenient  and 
neccflar}'.  They  have  agreed  on  the  forms  of  prayer  and  mode 
of  worfhip  adapted  to  the  United  States,  and  given  themfelves 
the  name  of  tiie  Episcopal  Protestant  Church  in  America, 

Pertect  toleration  and  liberty  of  conicience  is  enjoyed  in 
all  the  United  States,  and  the  various  denominations  of  chriftians 
are  forming,  or  have  formed  themfelves  into  fuch  aflbciations, 
clafles,  fynods  and  conventions,  as  they  judge  moft  fubfervient  to 
the  great  interefts  of  religion*. 

The  abolition  of  the  Have  trade  in  Great  Britain,  in  New 
England,  New  York,  New  Jerfey,  Pennfylvania,  and  in  other 
parts  of  the  United  States ;  and  the  total  abolition  of  flavery  in 
fome  of  them,  ought  to  be  noticed  as  a  happy  event  of  the  paft 
century.  The  amelioration  of  the  condiiion  of  the  flaves  in  the 
fouthern  States,  and  in  fome  other  parts  of  the  world ;  the  chrif- 
tianizing  of  great  numbers  of  them,  with  the  pleafing  profpe6l  of 
the  total  abolition  of  that  horrid  trade,  in  the  human  fpecies,  is 
natter  of  inexpreflible  joy.  May  the  great  parekt  of  all  crea- 
tures haften  the  day,  when  all  human  beings  fliall  enjoy  natural 
and  moral  freedom. 

*  The  firft  convention  of  the  epifcopal  c'crgy  was  at  Philadelphia,  1789, 
At  this  convention,  thty  coiicfle4  unci  ratified  the  book  of  common  prayer.— 
The  prayers  for  tiie  king  nnd  royal  fanily  were  left  out,  and  praytrs  adapted 
to  the  Government  of  the  U  lited  Stitcs  inferted  j  an  alteration  w.is  aifo  made 
in  the  htn iil  fervice,  and  various  refolntions  pafl'ed  for  the  government  and  good 
order  of  the  epifcopal  church  in  the  United  States.  They  have  met  twice,  in 
general  convention,  fincc  j  in  September  1795,  and  in  June  1799.  It  appears, 
that  there  were,  at  that  time,  in  the  States  fouih  of  New  England,  1 64  ordained^ 
officiating,  epilcopal  clergymen.  In  the  Staie  of  New  York  18  ;  of  New  Jerfey 
6  ;  of  Pinnfylvanii  145  of  Delaware  4i  of  Maryland  395  of  Virginia  6J  }  and 
of  Sou;])  Carolina  15. 


Another  occurrence  which  ftrongly  characSlerlzes  the  clofc 
of  the  eighteenth  centur^  and  hatli  ftill  a  more  happy  afpedl  on 
mankind,  and  the  church  of  God,  is  that  uncommon  exertion, 
and  charity,  erdiibited  in  B'urope  and  America,  for  the  fpreading 
of  the  gofpel  among  tlie  heathen.  The  formation  of  numerous 
focieties  for  that  truly  anoftolical  and  glorious  purpofe,  is  a  new 
and  peculiarly  aufpicious  event.  That  holy  ardor  and  union  in 
prayer,  among  pious  people,  in  both  couuti-ies,  for  the  converfion 
of  the  jews  and  calling  of  the  gentiles;  the  uncommon  exertions 
which  have  been  made,  and  are  ftill  making,  for  the  promulgation 
of  the  gofpel,  to  the  continents  in  the  ^our  quarters  of  the  earth, 
and  to  the  moft  diftant  illands  in  the  feas,  portend  great  good  to 
the  church.  They  afiord  the  higheft  encouragement  to  pray  for 
the  pi'ofperity  of  Jeiufalem ;  to  exert  ourfelves,  and  fpare  no 
pains  for  the  furtherance  of  the  gofpel.  When  the  people  of 
God  take  pleafure  in  the  ftones  aiad  favour  the  duft  of  Zion,  will 
he  not  arife  and  build  her  up  ?  is  not  the  fet  time  to  favour  her 


Having  given  this  general  view  of  the  principal  events  of 
the  laft  century,  fuiFer  me  to  prefent  you  with  a  fketch  of  the  hif- 
tory  of  this  foclety  and  town. 

The  lands  in  the  town  wei'e  purchafed  by  the  Rev.  John 
Davenport  and  Theophilus  Eaton,  Efq.  in  behalf  of  the  firft  plant- 
ers of  New  Haven,  of  Momaugia  fnchem  of  Quinepiack,  and 
Montowefe,  fon  of  an  Indian  fachern  at  Mattabefeck,  now  Mid- 
dletown.  The  agreement  with  the  firft  of  thefe,  was  made  on  the 
2,4th  of  November,  1638;  in  which  he  concedes  all  his  right  to 
all  the  lands,  rivers,  ponds,  and  trees  within  the  utmoft  limits  of 
the  faid  Quinepiack,  with  all  the  liberties  and  appurtenance* 
thereof,  to  the  faid  Da\enport  and  Eaton,  and  the  other  Englifli 
planters  of  New  Haven,  their  heirs  and  affigns,  for  ever.  The 
other  agreement  and  purchafe  was  made  December  11,  1638,  in 
which  Montovrefe  confirms,  in  the  fame  ample  manner,  a  tra6l, 
principally  north  of  the  other,  thirteen  miles  in  breadth,  extend- 
ing eight  miles  eaft,  toward  Conne6Ucut  river,  from  the  river 
Q.uinepiack,  and  five  miles  weft,  towards  Kudfou's  river,  and  ten 
miles  in  length,  north  and  fouth.  Thefe  two  deeds  conveyed  a 
tra6l  of  countrv  about  eighteen  m.iles  in  length,  and  thirteen  in 
breadth,  covering  the  whole  tracSl  within  the  towns  of  New  Ha- 
ven, Woodbridge,  Hamden,  Eaft  Haven  and  North  Haven ;  the 
principal  part  of  the  towns  of  WallLngford  and  Chefliire,  and  of 
the  parifli  of  Northford.  By  the  terms  of  the  agreements  and 
purchafes,  the  Indians  were  to  enjoy  lands  to  plant  on,  upon  the 
eaft  fide  of  the  river,  upon  the  tra6l  fiace  called  Eaft  Haven.; 


they  Tiacl  allb  the  right  of  hunthig,  fow^g  and  fifliing  upon  tha 
lands  and  rivers  fecured  to  them.     On  their  part,  they  bound 
themfclves  not  to  injure  nor  affright  the  Englilh,  nor  to  enter  into 
■  any  combinations  againft  them. 

TnE  lands  having  been  thus  purchafed,  and  Governor  Eatort- 
•wning  a  large  tra6l  on  the  weft  fide  of  the  river,  it  feems,  put 
one  William  Btadley,  who  had  been  an  officer  in  Cromwell's  ar- 
my,  upon  it,  nearly  an  hundred  and  fifty  years  ago.     He,  I  fup- 
pofe,  was  the  firft  perfon  who  came  into  the  town.     Next  to  him, 
were  Thomas  and  Nathaniel  Yale,  who,  it  feerns,  came  on  to  the 
land  about  the  year  1660.     In  a  deed  of  faid  land,  ^iven  by  The* 
■ophilus  and  Hannah  Eaton,  heirs  of  Governor  Eaton,  to  'I'homad 
Yale,  executed  M^rch  9,  1659,  it  appears  that  Thomas  was  then 
upon  the  land.     About  the  year  1670,  a  conliderable  number  of 
the  inhabitants  of  New  Plaven  moved  to  V/allingford,  and  began 
the  fettleni/ent  of  that  town,  formerly  call«d  New  Haven  village. 
This  encouraged  the  fettlement  of  North  Haven,  apd  Jonathan 
Tuttle,  about  the  fame  time,  began  a  fettlement  near  the  river, 
on  the  farm  formerly  owned  by  Deacon  ifaiah  Tuttle,  who  was 
his  grandfon.     Nathaniel  Thorpe,  Ebenezer  Blakflee,  and  John 
Humafton,  foon  after  fettled  on  the  eaftern  bank  of  the  river  near 
the  centre  of  the  town.     Daniel  and  Thomas  Barns,  Thomas  Ja- 
cobs, and  Mofcs  Brockett,  made  fettlemcnts  near  the  river,  on 
the  eaft  fide  of  it,  about  a  mile  north  of  the  fouth  line  of  the  town. 
Thefe  appear  to  have  been  fome  of  the  firft  fettlers ;  and  they 
began  the  fettlements  in  this  fcattering  manner.     Next  to  thefe 
families,  were  Stephen  and  Mofcs  Clarke,  Michael  Todd,  Eben- 
ezer and  Thomas  Ives,  James  Bifliop,  John  Cooper,  John  Gran- 
nis,  John  Brockett,  and  Jofeph  Ives,      '-'ho  two  laft  of  thefe, 
went  firft  from  New  Haven  to  Wallingford,  and  afterwards  moved 
into  North  Haven.     Jofeph  Ives  built  on  the  road,  ab«ut  twenty 
rods  north  of  the  houfe  erected,  at  the  corner,  by  Ifaac  Thorpe. 
In  this  the  people  met  for  public  worfliip,  until  they  were  able  to 
build  them  a  meeting  houfe.     Thefe  were  generally  defcendants 
from  the  firft  planters  of  New  Haven.     The  names  of  a  confider- 
able  number  of  their  anceftors  arc  among  the  firft  freemen  and 
church  members,  who  entered  into  the  remarkable  agreement, 
and  fubfcribed  the  fundamental  article*  of  government,  adopted 
at  Quinepiack,  June  4,  1639*. 

The  fettlement  was  very  flow,  and  it  feems,  that  for  nearly 
forty  years,  fome  of  the  firft  planters  attended  public  worlhip,  and 

♦  William  Tuttle,  John  Cooper,  William  Thorpe,  John  Brockett,  Wik 
llan  Ive»,  and  Jamw  Clarke^  are  exprcffrd  by  name. 


t   «3   1 

'Burled  their  dead  at  New  Haven.  The  women  iifualty  went  04 
foot  to  New  Haven,  on  the  Lord's  day,  attended  two  long  exer- 
ciles,  and  returned.  In  fome  inftances  they  did  this  with  a  child 
in  their  arms*.  The  inhabitants  were  not  made  a  diftin6l  eccle- 
liaftical  fociety,  until  the  feffions  of  the  general  affembly,  in  O6I0- 
ber  17 16,  when  they  were  veiled  with  all  the  privileges  of  fuch 
,a  fociety.  The  honorable  Nathan  Gold,  Efq.  deputy  governor, 
and  the  Rev.  Samuel  Andrews,  then  paftor  ef  the  church,  at  Mil- 
ford,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  repair  to  North  Haven,  and 
to  affiift  the  parifli  in  appointing  a  place  in  which  to  ere6l  their 
meeting  houfe,  and  to  tdvife  them  with  refpedl  to  the  fettlement. 
of  an  orthodox.and  worthy  miniftcr.  The  Rev.  Mr,  James  Pier- 
pont  had  given  them  the  plat  of  ground,  on  which  the  meeting 
houfe  now  ftands,  upon  condition,  that  the  people  would  ere6t 
their  houfe  of  worfhip  upon  it.  This  was  thankfully  accepted. — 
A  houfe  for  public  worftiip  was  ere6led  about  i6i8 ;  38  or  40  by 
28.     The  polls  were  of  a  proper  height  for  good  galleries. 

While  the  parifli  were  tranCa6ling  thofe  affairs,  they  had 
invited  Mr.  James  Wetmore  to  fettle  with  them  in  the  work  of 
the  gofpel  miniftry.  At  the  feffion  of  the  general  affembly,  in 
May  17 18,  the  aliembly  gave  the-  inhabitants  liberty  to  form  into 
a  church.  And  the  November  following  Mr,  Wetmore  was  oi» 
dained. 

At  the  time  v/hen  the  parifli  was  formed,  the  limits  of  it  etk 
tended  confiderably  north  and  weft  of  the  ground  on  which  thft 
meeting  houfe  in  Mount  Carmel  has  fince  been  ere<5led,  and  com» 
prehended  twelve  families,  which,  before  1716,  were  fettled  upon 
that  tra6l.  The  whole  number  of  families,  at  the  time  when  they 
were  made  a  pai-ifh,  was  about  forty,  Mr,  Wetmore  was  greatly 
efteemed  and  beloved  by  his  people;  but  after  he  had  laboured 
with  them  for  nearly  four  years,  he  altered  his  fentiments,  and 
in  September  172^,  declared  for  epifcopacyf.     The  confequence 

•  The  tradition  is,  that  Mrs.  Blakflee,  the  great  grand  motKer  of  the  pre. 
fent  Ciptain  Blakllre,  would  take  her  child  in  her  arms,  on  fabbath  day  morn- 
ing, tiavel  fc  New  Haven  aad  hear  Mr.  Pierpont  preach,  aad  return  again  after 
me-.;ting.  The  lame  is  reported  concerning  Mrs.  Thorpe,  the  wife  of  Nuhia- 
iel  Thorpe.  The  people  who  fettled  this  towu  were  brought  up  in  the  ftriil 
puritanic  religion  of  thofe  excellent  men,  Mr.  Davenport  and  Mr.  Fierpoat^  and 
were,  numbei  s  of  them,  truly  of  the  excellent  in  the  eartb« 

f  One  or  two  families  embraced  epifcopacy  with  Mr.  Wetmore,  which 
began  the  church  in  this  town.  In  1751,  when  Mr.  Icbabod  Camp  went  for 
orders  for  Wallingford  and  Middletown,  thcie  were  two  fublcrlHer*  for  him  at 
Not  th  Hiven,     He  came  back  and  e^ctated  at  WalUrgfardj  MiU4ieS9Wa  n4 


[     34    ] 

was,  a  difiniffion,  foon  after,  from  his  paftoral  relation.  He  went 
to  England  and  took  orders,  in  17^3.  He  was  re6lorof  the  chureh 
at  Rye,  where  he  finiflied  his  coi-rie.  May  14,  1760.  He  was  edu- 
cated at  the  collegiate  fchool  at  Saybrook,  where  he  received  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts,  in  September,  1714. 

After  a  vacancy  of  a  little  more  than  two  years,  the  Rev. 
Ifaac  Stiles  fucceeded  him  in  the  pafloral  office.  He  was  orduined 
on  the  nth  of  November,  1724.  He  was  graduated  at  Yale  col- 
lege, 172,2,  and  died  May  14,  1760,  on  the  fame  day,  and  nearly 
at  the  fame  hour,  in  which  his  predeceffor,  Mr.  Wetmore,  died. 
He  was  well  verfed  in  the  fcriptures,  had  a  natural  gift  of  elocu- 
tion, and  was  a  zealous,  engaging  preacher. 

The  bereaved  congregation,  after  they  had  heard  feveral 
gentlemen,  by  the  advice  of  the  aflociation,  made  application  to 
me.  Upon  their  invitation,  I  paid  them  a  vifit,  and  preached  to 
them,  the  firft  time,  on  Lord's  day,  Augull  31,  1760.  Aftei- 
preaching  with  them  a  little  more  than  two  months,  the  church 
and  fociety,  with  great  unanimity,  gave  me  a  call  to  fettle  with 
them,  in  the  work  of  the  miniftry.  It  appeared  my  duty  to  ac- 
cept tiieir  invitation,  and  I  was  ordained  to  the  pafloral  office,  by 
the  confociation  of  the  paftors  and  churches  of  the  whole  county, 
December  24,  1760.  Through  help  obtained  fi-om  God,  I  con- 
tinue to  this  time.  I  am  now  juit  entering  on  the  forty-firft 
year  of  my  miniflry.  My  locks  have  xv^hitened  and  my  eyes  grown 
dim  in  your  fer\-ice ;  but  during;  this  long  period,  through  the  won- 
derful patience  and  goodnefs  of  the  Great  Father  of  mercies, 
I  have  never  been  unable  to  perform  the  public  worfhip,  on  both 
parts  of  the  day,  but  in  one  fmgle  inftance.  I  have  been  able  to 
meet  you  at  every  le6lure,  •  at  every  funeral,  and  upon  all  occa- 
fions  in  which  my  miniflerial  fervice  has  been  required.  Within 
a  little  lefs  than  a  century  you  have  had  three  minifters,  two  of 
whom  have  fcrved  you  about  feventy-fix  years. 

■  There  have  been  in  the  church,  ten  deacons  ;  David  Yale 
and  Samuel  Ives,  chofen  17 18.  Deacon  Ives  died  November 
25,  1726.     Sanmel  Todd  fucceeded  him,  chofen  about  1727. — 


Noaii  Hiven,  until  1760,  when  he  removeti  to  Virginin.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Pun. 
derfon  vifitecl  fhem  fiequently,  ihe  letter  part  of  the  fame  time,  aiul  for  a  year  or 
two  nfteiavards.  In  1760  thfy  built  ihem  a  fmall  houle  40  hy  30.  Fronn  the  year 
i76z,  until  about  the  year  17^3,  they  were  under  the  pa  oral  cnre  of  the  Rcv. 
Mr.  Andrews,  of  Wailingford.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Hart  preached  \o  them  for  lev- 
eral  years  fuicr,  but  they  are  now  a  plurality  under  the  charge  of  the  Rev,  Rsu- 
ben  Ives,  of  Chefhirc,  and  have  pieaching  once  in  thiee  fabbat|it. 


.Mtif«t  Blakfleej^about  17^8,  fucceede'dDeacon^Vale*.     Deacort 

»Blak(lee  removed  to  Northbury,  now  Plymouth,  1739,  and  Dea- 

»Con  Thomas  Cooper  fucceeded  him,  chofen  1740.     Upon  the  de* 

^teafe  of  Deacon  Todd,  Ifaiah  Tuttle  was  chofen  Deacon,  about 

the  year  174  if*     '^'^^  Deacons,  by  reafon  of  their  advanced  age, 

deliring  aliiftance,    JefTe  Todd  was  chofen  Deacon,    December 

24,  177 i?  and  James  Humafton,    November  24,   I773»     Upon 

the  refignation  of  Deacon  Humafton,  Solomon  Tuttle  was  chofen, 

November  a,  1780.     Deacon  Titus  Todd  was  chofen,  March  i, 

1787,  to  fupply  the  vacancy  made  by  the  removal  of  his  brother 

Jeffe  Todd,  to  Springfield,  in  Maflachufetts. 

The  firft  military  officers  chofen  and  commiflloned  In  North 
."■Haven,  were  Capt.  Jofeph  Ives,  Lieut*  John  Granis,  and  Enfign 
-Samuel  Ives.     They  received  their  commiffions  at  the  feffion  of 
the  general  affembly,  06lober,  1718, 

Your  anceftors  were  few  in  number,  but  you  ate  t\aw  in- 
creafed  to  about  fourteen  hundred  fouls.  They  were  clothed  and 
fed  coarfely,  and  fared  hardly;  but  you  are  generally  drefled  with 
elegance,  and  have  not  only  the  conveniences,  but  many  of  the 
delicacies  of  life.  They  were  compafled  with  a  wildernefs,  with 
wild  beafts  and  favage  men  J.  But  you  dwell  amidft  cultivated 
and  pleafant  fields,  orchards  and  gardens,  and  have  nothing  to  fear 
from  either.     In  their  times,  the  ways  were  unoccupied.    A  foli- 

D 

*  Deacoa  Yale  died  1730;  and  fome  years  before  his  death  refigned  bit 
«fRce. 

f  Deacon  Ifaiah  Tuttle  diad  Sfptemher  it,  1776,  aged  jt,  D:acOK 
Thomae  Cooper  died  March  11,  1784.,  aged  So. 

X  The  Indians  were  fometimes  very  numerous  10  this  place,  and  gav* 
much  alarm  to  the  inhabitaiut,  efpeciallv  to  the  wo-.nen  and  childiea.  When 
the  towns  ot  N^w  Hiten  and  Guilford  fettled,  the  Indians  from  both  town* 
€olle6ted,  principally  to  Branford  and  Ead  Haven.  At  Eaft  Haven  was  the 
grand  Indian  burying  place,  to  which  the  Indians,  at  times,  had  a  kind  of  gen> 
eral  refort.  The  Ind.ans  at  Mattabeleck,  were  connsfted  with  tfcc  Indians  in 
ti  is  part  of  the  State,  and  the  extent  of  ilie  river  into  the  Southern  part  of  Farm- 
ington,  and  the  fim-  fi.liing  and  fowling  upon  it,  formvd  a  connexion  wiih  the 
Farniiii^ton  Indi.»n«.  The  coinhioation  of  thefe  circiunftanccf,  fometimes  Jliled 
the  pariQi  with  In.hr.ns.  At  particular-  limch  they  Itemed  to  Iwarin  upon  the 
river,  and  the  groves  and  fwamps  ap(;eaiecl  alive  with  tiiem.  Once  alter  the 
fettleintnt  ctiTunniced  they  msde  a  grf»i)d  pawavv,  on  the  ro.»*4  betwten  the  corner 
of  the  Mjikri  plsce,  and  Mr.  John  Humalfun's  }  people  were  in  great  fear  that 
their  fitrlJi  of  corn  wi.ul.l  be  mined  by  them  ;  but  by  the  influence  of  I'ue  ch.tt 
fachc:i)(  they  r.eie  rcfl.aJBcd  from  doing  an^  damage. 


[    >6    } 

tury  path  through  a  drear}'  fwamp  or  wood,  led  to  their  huirhld 
cottagts.  Uut  your  roads  are  broad  and  fmooth,  and  your  houfe» 
are  large  and  elegant.  They  had  every  thing  to  do,  but  their 
means  were  fniall.  You  have  houfes  tuilded,  wells  digged,  gar- 
dens planted,  orchards  and  trees  of  various  fruit,  prepared  to 
your  hands.  They  were  under  great  difadvantages  for  fchooling 
their  children,  not  only  on  account  of  their  low  tircun.ftances, 
but  of  tht'ir  dlftance  from  each  other,  and  of  the  danger  of  chil- 
dren's travelling  lb  far  through  groves  and  fwamps;  but  you  have 
diilinguilhing  advantages  to  get  wifdom  yourfelves,  and  to  fchool 
your  children.  Your  advantages,  in  thefe  refpe6ls,  arc  much 
greater  now,  than  they  were  at  the  time  of  my  fettlement  with 
you.  There  v/as  then  but  one  fchool  houfe  within  the  lifnits  of 
the  pariih :  Now  you  have  eight  fchool  diflrifls,  and  the  fame 
number  of  fchool  houfes,  generally  commodious  and  well  built.— 
Your  progrcfs  in  Icnowledge,  civilization,  agriculture,  and  manu- 
faflures,  has  been  very  confiderable.  You  have  experienced  no 
fuch  diftreffing  feafons  of  general  ficknefs  and  mortality,  as  the- 
inhubitants  had  been  vifited  with  in  former  years.  Your  popu- 
lation has  been  very  great,  though  on  the  account  of  the  numer- 
ous emigrations,  and  the  fetting  off  of  a  large  number  of  families, 
to  the  parifli  of  Mount  Carmel,  you  are  not,  perhaps,  more  nu- 
merous than  you  were  in  1759*.  In  06lober,  1786,  you  were 
made  a  diflindl  town,  and  veiled  with  all  the  immunities  of  fuch 
.  a  free  corporation.  You  have  a  large  and  convenient  houfe  for 
the  public  wordiipl,  an  elegant  fteeple,  a  large  and  excellent  bell. 
You  enjoy  peace  amc'^g  yourfelves,  and  the  bleffings  of  uncoiamon 
health  pervade  your  habitations.  Are  not  the  lines  fallen  to  u» 
in  pleafant  places  ?  Have  we  not  a  goodly  heritage  ?  What  more 
is  neceffury  to  complete  our  happinefs,  than  thankful  and  obedient 
hearts,  rendering  unto  the  Lord  according  to  his  benefits? 

•  S  me  time  b«fore  iny  onlination,  Mf^iint  Cfrme!  w^s  mar'e  s  diftirft 
p^rifhy  itiiJ  betACcn  twe»Uy  and  tliiity  f^O'iJi.  8  weie  t.ken  off  from  tlus  f<H-irtv  j 
but  »li--y  woifh:ppeii  witl»  OS  until  aSout  the  rloi'e  of  the  ypar  1760.  The  cliu.ch 
in  Mciji  t  Ciimci,  w;\i  tml'ittitri!  J.nuaiy  afc,  1764.,  at  which  iima  about  iV 
iiieinbcri  ot  t'le  thuicli  m  Njtii  H.  vm,  by  niuuial  co'il'frt,  were  emhodird 
*Mth  t'..3t  chiiitb.  They  cooio.u  ,e<i  with  this  chiuch  ui.iil  thit  ij:\)e,  ilioii^a 
the)  had  bten  annexed  to  aocther  Lcicty. 

About  150  f?:T'i!)»'»  bare  emj^rotei]  fr:m  this  town  wirhjn  the  4.0  ye:ir» 
of  my  miiiilir*,  b'-fi'fS  3  "rfsr  r-itr'^rr  of  ><"'*"iP,  [  c  pie  j  .bt:t  lev,  have  n.cvfd 
iiiio  It.      AlnTiult  all   ihc  inhabit^rnts  ot  tht:  tuwu  aie  deiivcil  hem  th-  fiiti 

pl;.n:i'is. 

X  It  is  60  fen  by  45  and  I.  It  wat  crefled  1739,  and  finifhsd  in  Augiift 
1.74-1. 


[  y  ? 

I  HAVE  now  only  one  great  and  folemn  event  more,  of  the  laft 
•entury  and  year,  to  lay  before  you;  that  is  the.  progrefs  of  death. 
A  view  of  this  is  neceflary,  that  we  n^ay  cloi^^  the  iaft,  and  begin 
the  new  year  v/ith  proper  views  and  exercifes,  and  that  we  may 
form  juft  conceptions  with  relpedl  to  the  century  before  us. 

Every  year  is  ^rodu6live  of  events,  folemn,  vaft  and  vron- 
-derful.  A  century  increafeth  them  an  hundred  fold.  From  the 
moll  accurate  bills  of  mortality,  it  appears,  that  hiiif  the  human 
race,  even  in  this  healthful  climate,  die  under  twenty  years  of 
age :  And  it  is  computed,  that,  taking  the  world  at  large,  one 
half  die  under  feventeen.  Once  in  about  twenty-feven  years,  it 
is  fuppofed,  that  a  number  dies  equal  to  the  whole  number  of  in- 
habitants upon  the  globe.  .  Some  ellimate  this  number  at  a  thou- 
fand  millions — and  that  there  die  annually,  about  thirty-feven 
millions — feven  hundred  and  twelve  thoufands  every  week — one 
hundred  and  one  thoufand  feven  hundred  and  fifty  daily — four 
thoufand  two  hundred  and.  thirty-nine  every  hour — and  about 
feventy  every  minute.  Nine  hundred  and  fifty  thoufand  milliouf 
is  the  loweft  computation  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth.  Ac- 
cording to  this  eflimate,  thirty-five  millions  one  hundred  and 
eigiky-five  thoufands  one  hundred  Und  eighty-five  die  every  year 
— iis.  hundred  feventy-fix  thoufands  fix  hundred  and  thirty- eight 
each  week — every  day,  ninety-fix  thoufand  fix  hundred  and  fixty- 
tvvo — -evey  hour,  four  thoufands  and  twenty-feven — and  fixty- 
feven  each  palling  minute.  Wondei'ful,  tremendous  mortality  I ! ! 
What  an  aflonilhing  current  of  fouls  is  rapidly  borne  on  the  tide  of 
time,  inceifantly  Ihooting  into  the  ocean  of  eternity,  and  appeai'- 
ing  before  God,  in  judgment  I 

If  this  reprefentation  be  juft,  the  earth  changes  the  whole 
number  of  its  inhabitants,  at  lead,  three  times  and  an  half  each 
century.  Three  thoufand  three  hundred  and  twenty-five  millions 
have  exchanged  worlds  the  laft  century.  During  this  period,  four 
kings  and  one  queen  have  reigned  on  the  throne  of  Great  Britain. 
William  and  'Mary,  Queen  Anne,  George  the  fi.ft  and  fecond, 
with  all  their  courtiers,  admirals,  generals,  and  mighty  men,  reft 
together  in  the  duft.  The  Louis's,  their  courts  and  mighty 
men  are  no  more.  Royalty  has  been  abolilhed,  conftitutions  and 
tyrants,  in  quick  fucceiliou,  have  followed  each  other,  and  van- 
iilied  away.  Kingdoms  and  republics  have  been  (haken  and  de- 
molilhed,  the  face  of  Europe,  and  of  the  whole  world  hath  beea 
changed. 

If  we  come  nearer  home,  and  review  America,  New  Eng- 
land, ConBiicbicut,  aad  our  r-efpeiftive  towns,  will  not  the  retro- 


fpeft  befolcmn,  lnftru<SUve  and  affedling  ?  All  the  venerable  fa- 
thers,- who,  at  the  comDniencement  of  the  laft  hundred  years,  con- 
dudled' the  affah-s  of  church  and  ftate,  with  their  children,  and 
moft  of  their  grand  children,  are  gone  down  to  the  fides  of  the  pit,. 
Their  wifdom,  beauty,  influence,  and  lives.  Have  all  been  loft  m% 
the  ravages  of  time.     In  this  State,  which  was  i'o  fmall  at  that 
peiiod,-  there  have  died  ten  governOrsi  with  tiieir  councils  and  of- 
ficers, nine  prefidents  or  chief  inftru6lors  of  college.    The  fellows, 
who  were  their  cotemporaries,  and  the  tutors  who  aflift«id  them,, 
generally  are  gone  down  to  the  congregation  of  the  dead.     About 
three  hundred  minifters,  who  fhone  as  lights  in  this  part  of  the 
firmamtiu  of  the  church,  have  been  extinguiilied,  and  new  ftar»» 
and  confiellations  have  arifen,   to  illuminate  her  children,   ani 
guide  them  in  their  fucceflive  generations,  to  virtue  and  gloiy.— ' 
The  numerous  hearers,  whoonce  aflembledwith  thofe  preacher* 
of  righteoufnefs,  and  hung  upon  their  lipsj  have  clofed  their  eyes, 
witli  them  in  death,  and  fpread  their  graves  around  them,     Ther 

Saftors  and  the  flocks  have  gone  to  judgment,  and  are  reaping  irv 
iiferent  worlds,  according  to  what  they  had  fown.  Your  former 
paftors,  their  churches  and  congregations  reft  together  in  theif 
places  of  burial. 

During  the  forty  years  of  my  miniflry,  there  have  died  out 
of  the  town  570  perfonsj  484  from  among  the  people  of  ray  paf* 
toi  al  charge  j  about  75  out  of  the  epifcopalian  fociety*,  and  ten 
or  twelve  from  among  the  Separates  and  baptifts,  I  fuppofe,  thav 
the  inhabitants  of  the  whole  town,  upon  an  average,  during  the 
term  of  forty  years,  have  been  about  1 300,  a  little  more  than  a 
thoufand  have  been  under  my  paftoral  care.      The  deaths  au4 

•  Tbi$  confift$  of  4.1  families.  The  firft  man  in  the  fociety  of  this  pro- 
ffii-n,  wi!«  Ml.  Ehfiitzer  Blakflee.  He  went  off  from  the  church  in  North 
Hiiv^n  w  iIj  Mr.  Wctmore.  The  chuicli-increafed  corfiderably,  in  nearly  40 
ye  rf,  by  tiie  jiopulation  of  his  own  family  j  fome  families  of  the  l^me  perfua- 
•  1  >.iovtd  into  the  ;  ari(h,  ami  (ome  orhsrs  joining  them,  (torn  among  the  peo- 
iti  ttv  Iccietv,  fowau.s  the  latter  part  of  Mr.  Sti^es's  miniftry,  they,  on  the 
4  '  <.•>  A/'  li,  1759,  hdd  attained  to  fuch  numbtr$,  that  iliey,  in  a  folenm  man- 
,  loi.cnd  lilt-  church  ibte,  and  fdr  the  fii  11  time,  ctiofe  wardens.  At  tht 
C;>>  oiepci'n.tnt  or  tlielalt  ccncury  there  were  r.ofcftaries  in  Connedicut,  and  there 
V'  f  b>>t  one  tpdcopalian  church  in  New  England,  which  was  io  Bofton.  In 
J7-7.  »  I'tvi  11  tpiicopilian  church  was  eftabiilhed  at  Stratford,  At  the  fatnt 
tii»:t,  whtn  Mr.  Wttmore  declared  for  epilcopacy,  Mr.  Cutler,  the  reftor  of 
College,  and  M  JoImWon,  minifter  al  Well  Hr^vcn,  declared.  They  went  to 
l'.ng!:ind  and  t^v-k  i.rders,  and  re£lor  Culler  was  fixed  at  Bofton,  and  Mr.  John* 
f;')  Mt  Sm afford.  Thife  gentlemen,  with  one  or  two  mere,  who  declared  for 
r^-ilcopjcy,  a»,  or  about  tht  fame  time,  were  very  much  the  fathers  of  the  «pif» 
c.'^.ii  church  in  New  England, 


ages,  among^thefe,  have  been  accurately  kept.  Thff  deatha,  up- 
on an  average,  have  been  about  twelve  and  one-tenth  annually,  a 
little  more  than  one  to  an  hundred.  Of  the  484,  79  have  lived 
to  70  years  of  age  and  upwards.  Thirty-i'even  lived  to  betweea 
70  and  80;  thirty-five  to  between  80  and  90;  and  fcven  to  90, 
and  between  90  and  100  years  of  age.  About  16  out  of  an  hun- 
dred have  lived  to  70  years  and  upwards  ;  eight  out  of  an  hundred 
to  more  than  80 ;  and  feven  of  the  484  have  lived  to  be  90 ; 
and  between  90  and  an  hundred  years  of  age.  Of  the  feven  lafti 
mentioned,  one  was  91,  one  92,  one  93,  one  95,  and  the  oldelt 
99  and  8  months.  This  is  the  greateft  degree  of  health  and  lon- 
gevity, which,  in  modern  times,  I  have  known  for  fo  long  a  period. 
Neverthelefs,  how  has  the  face  of  this  affembly  been  changed  i 
The  fathers,  where  are  they  ?  And  how  are  the  heads  of  their 
children  whitening  with  years !  One  generation  posset^  away y  and 
another  generation  cotnetb. 

What  profitable  refie6lions  fliall  we  now  make,  on  the  view 
V-e  have  taken  of  our  fubjedl,  and  of  the  year  and  century  paft  ?— - 
With  what  feelings  and  profpedls  Ihould  we  begin  the  new  year, 
and  the  nineteenth  century  ?  The  do6lrine  of  divine  providence, 
that  the  Lord  governs  univerfally,  uncontrolably,  perfe6lly,  and 
for  ever,  exhibits  him  as  a  proper  and  glorious  obje6l  of  our  en- 
tire truft,  of  our  prayers  and  praifes.  What  encouragement  is 
there  to  truft  in,  and  pray  to  him,  who  governs  all  worlds,  crea- 
tures and  events,  and  performeth  all  things  for  his  people? — 
What  fupport  and  comfort  muft  it  give  to  Zion  and  to  all  who  fear 
the  Lord,  when  the  earth  is  removed,  and  the  mountains  carried 
into  the  midft  of  the  fea,  when  the  waters  of  it  roar,  and  the 
mountains  tremble  at  the  fweiling  of  it,  that  he  fits  king  for  ever, 
and  prelides  in  every  ftorm?  How  calming  and  confolatory  to  hear 
him  fpeaking,  in  the  dark  day,  and  amidft  the  raging  tempeli,  at 
he  did  to  the  affrighted  difciplea  upon  the  fea  of  Galilee,  Jt  is  /, 
ifc  not  afraid. 

This,  at  the  fame  time,  ftiould  beget  in  us  entire  acquief- 
cence  and  fubmilSon,  with  refpedl  to  all  prefent  and  future  cir- 
cumftances,  relating  to  ourl'elves,  the  church  of  God,  and  all 
creatures,  and  things.  In  view  of  the  univerfal  and  perfect  gov- 
ernment of  the  Most  High  j  this  fliould  be  the  language  of  our 
hearts.  It  is  the  Lord,  let  bim  d9  'iubat  seemetb  bim  good. 

The  univerfal  dominion  of  God,  teacheth  us  to  acknowledge^ 
bim  in  all  the  judgments  and  fearful  defolations  which  have  been, 
or  arc  made  in  the  earth,  and  in  all  the  riches  of  goodnefs  and 
Bjercv  with  which  iv  is  filled.     It  leadfr  u£  to  communion  with 


[    30   T 

?ilni  in  all  his  providences,  as  well  as  ordinancea :  To  know  him, 
by  the- judgments  which  he  executeth,  and  to  learn  righteoufneis, 
while  they  are  in  the  earth: — To  fee  him  in  all  his  goodnei's,  and 
%o  be  led  by  it  to  repentance  and  thankfgivirg. 

While  we  behold  his  mighty  works,  and  confider  the  operai|. 
*lon  of  his  hands,  how  Qioiild  we  adore  his  gi  eatnefs,  wifdom  and 
power,  and  learn  to  fear  him  for  ever?  While  we  behold  how  he 
bringeth  the  princes  to  nothing,  and  maketh  the  judges  of  the 
earth  as  vanity;  how  he  maketh  cities  a  ruinous  heap,  and 
plucketh  up  and  planteth  the  nations  at  his  pleafure  ;  how  fliould 
we  tremble  before  him,  and  fly  to  his  mercy  in  CfiKisT  Jksus  ? 

While  we  fee  him,  in  his  inflexible  juftice  and  veracity,  in 
all  plaees  and  generations,  executing  that  awful  fentence.  Dust 

THOU   ART,    AND    UNTO  DUST    SHALT   THOU  RF.TUKN,    hoW   fliould 

we  learn,  in  this  tremendous  teflimony  which  he  bears  agairiil  fin, 
how  his  foul  abhors  it?  How  inexprefllMy  fliould  we,  and  uil  men 
loathe  and  fear  it?  How  fliould  God's  inflexibility  in  the  execu- 
tion of  this  fentence,  efl:abHfli  us,  in  the  perfu^ifion,  that  he  will 
execute  all  his  threatnings ;  and,  that  though  hand  join  in  hand, 
the  wicked  fliall  not  be  unpuniihid. 

As  we  fee  him  in  all  pafl:  ages,  and  in  the  prefent  age,  exe- 
cuting his  threatnings,  and  fuifiliing  the  promifes  and  piedi6lions 
of  his  word,  how  fliouM  it  cor.firm  our  faith  in  the  fcriptures,  our 
confidence  in  him,  and  afliirance  that  he  will  accomplilh  all  the 
good  which  he  hath  fpoken  concerning  Zion. 

How  does  our  fubje6l  teach  us  to  give  all  glory  to  God,  for 
the  fignal  deliverances  which  he  hath  granted  to  our  fathers,  and 
to  us  their  pofterity?  For  his  complicated  and  mighty  works  in 
giving  us  this  great  and  good  land,  in  protcfting  his  church  here, 
in  every  emergency,  and  in  the  admirable  increafe  of  it,  the  cen- 
tury ])a{l?  Willi  what  venerable  aid  exalted  ideas,  fliould  we 
adore  his  providence  in  the  American  revolution,  in  the  cftablifli- 
ment  of  our  independence,  and  in  our  prefent  peace,  diftinguiflied 
priviledges  and  growing  profpcrity?  How  gracious  has  he  been  to 
us,  that  while  war  hath  hung  out  its  bloody  flag,  and  raged  beyond 
^11  former  example,  in  almofl  every  part  of  the  world,  we  have 
enjoyed  peace  ?  While  the  cities,  kingdoms,  wealth,  connnerce  and 
reiources  of  other  countries,  are  in  a  manner  annihilated,  tlieir 
inh.ibitants  flain,  by  millions,  and  their  habitations  and  pleafant 
tra<5ls  made  defclate,  we  have  mot  only  rebuilt  the  towns  and 
cities,  repeopled  and  fertilized  the  trails  which  war  had  ruined 
and  depopulated,  but  we  hav«  extended  our  fettlements,  incre.afed 


£  sj  1 

/0«f  numbers,  navigation,  commerce,  fifhtfrles,  wealth,  an<l  re- 
fources  beyond  all  parallel.  The  trails  where  war  raged,  uhcre 
the  clailiing  and  roar  of  arms,  the  thunder  of  cannon  and  noife  of 
battle  {hook  all  the  adjacent  country,  where  the  wounded  groaned, 
and  the  mighty  fell,  are  now  covered  with  pleafant  villages,  walks, 
and  gardens,  and  fields  wave  with  pienteous  harvefts.  There 
freemen  lie  down  in  quiet,  and  mothers  hulh  their  numerous 
babes  to  reft  in  fafety.  Extenfive  regions,  which  for  ages  paft 
had  been  a  dreary  wiidernefs,  filled  with  the  hideous  bowlings  of 
favage  beafts  and  men,  are  now  peopled  with  chriilians,  and  pray- 
ers and  praifes  are  conftantly  addrellcd  to  the  throne  of  heaven. 
Are  thefe  my  brethren,  the  works  of  the  Lord,  and  fliall  not  all 
America  aA^ake  to  praife  him  ?  Can  we  contemplate,  that  accord- 
ing to  the  common  rate  of  mortality,  three  or  four  minifters,  and 
three  or  four  thou  lands  of  people,  upon  the  loweft  computation, 
die  annually  in  this  State"*,  and  yet,  that  not  one  governor  nor 
magiftrate,  not  one  member  of  congrefs,  nor  judge  of  our  courts, 

•  Life,  in  Conneflicut,  and  New  England  in  general,  it  one  thii  J,  st  'eifl, 
ne:}rly  one  lialf  loKger  and  betier  than  it  is  in  the  wurl^  in  general.  According 
to  tne  C'xnmon  eUun^ie,  ouc  balf  of  mankind  di<  under  17  years  of 'ge,  and  m 
populo'it  cities  31. d  !Oine  parts  of  the  world  under  11  years  of  age  j  but  in  the 
bill  of  moi taiity  tor  tins  to  vn,  but  two  more  than  half  hive  itied  under  10.  In 
every  thonland  people  under  20,  therefore,  3000  years  of  life  aie  gained. — 
Among  175,000,  375,000  yeurs  are  gained.  Were  all  the  people  through  this 
Slate  as  heaiiliy  as  tiie  people  in  North  Haven  have  been  for  forty  years  part, 
the  bill  of  mortaliiy  for  the  whole  State  would  be  but  about  3000.  But  the  bilis 
of  morialiiy  in  the  more  populous  towns  and  cities  are  greater}  fo  that  upon  the 
luit  caicutation  which  can  be  made,  the  annual  bill,  upon  an  average,  i»  between 
four  .'.nd  jive  thoul'anJs.  This  is  but  aboat  one  half  of  the  number  which  die 
thiough  the  world,  in  general,  according  to  the  common  eftimate.  Thii  is  do£ 
owing  wholly  to  ihe  bealthine;$  of  the  climate,  but  to  the  manners  and  com- 
fuita^le  liv;r.'g  uf  the  people.  In  Great  Britnin  and  in  other  parts  of  the  woild, 
whcie  )he  ciiinates  are  as  healtl)y  ?.»  ii;  New  England,  the  bills  of  mortality  ar* 
iniich  gieater.  Thi  luxury  of  ibe  great  and  opulent,  fliortcns  their  liv^j,  si.d 
tenders  their  children  kls  healthful  and  vigorous.  The  taking  them  cit'  from 
the  breafli  of  the  mother,  and  putting  them  unnaturally  to  other«,  to  fuckle  tiA 
purle,  is,  doubtlefs,  a  furthsr  inj-is  y  to  life.  The  great  poverty,  low  iiving, 
hardniif)S,  and  vices  of  the  people  of  the  lower  claiTos  in  life,  (hoitcn  their  days. 
But  ID  New  England,  none  arc  fo  poor,  or  neceffarilj  fuhj'idl  to  fuch  hirdlhip5 
»s  to  (luirten  their  days.  Thc;ir  gmeral  temperance,  regular  and  i'yber  tian»  »• 
of  living,  their  tender  care  and  nuifing  of  their  childrer,  are,  ufider  Go3,  ihs 
grent  means  ot  their  extraordinary  population,  health,  and  lougetity.  The  itr.e 
of  th.' Lord  prolongfth  days.  Tcmperacce,' chattity,  a  conte:;tcd  and  quist 
•nin<!,  and  pe.iccful  and  righteous  condud,  a  chcarful  ccnfidence  in  COD,  ar.d 
the  leviving  hupc  of  bit  eveilalling  mercy,  all  unite  their  inlluencs  to  fee-are- 
and  promote  the  natural  life  and  happinels  of  man.  Were  there  no  world  buc 
thia,  the  human  race,  would,  no  doubt,  be  moli  happy,  in  the  belief  ;:iui  pr)i^ 
iKi  ef  all  thiols  whi:h  Geo  hath  cstcal:d  «£  comataadcti,. 


[    3^   3 

hat  died  the  ycar-paft,  and  but  one  minifter  of  the  gofpelf,  -and 
r.ot  be  deeply  alTe^led  with  the  divine  patience  and  j^oodnels?— * 
Are  we  aUveamidft  all  the  ravages  of  time  and  death,  to  cele- 
brate the  commencement  of  a  New  Y^ar,  and  Ckntury  ;  and  i« 
the  voice  of  health  and  peace  heard  in  our  habitations,  and  fliall 
'We  not  ferve  the  Lord  with  gladnefs?  Shall  we  not  enter  into 
his  gates  with  thankfgiving,  and  into  his  courts  with  praife  ? — • 
Should  not  every  heart  expand  with  gratitude,  and  every  tongue 
fmg  hallelujah?  Shall  we  not,  like  the  pfalmift,  remember  GoD*s 
ixionders  of  old^  meditate  of  ail  bis  works^  and  talk  of  bis  doings? 
Shall  not  this  be  the  nniverfal  ftudy,  What  shall  I  render  unto  the 
ILoKoforall  bis  benefits  /* 

While  we  weep  over  the  graves  of  our  anceftors,  and  con- 
template the  revolutions  of  time  and  ravages  of  death,  fliall  we 
not  ierioiifly  think  of  our  own  diffolution  ?  How  foon  time  may  be 
with  us  no  more  ?  Shall  we  not  learn  how  frail  we  are  ?  How  pre- 
cious is  every  moment  of  time  ?  And  how  neceflary  to  prepare  for 
death  without  delay?  Do  we  fee  kings,  counfellors  and  judges  of 
the  earth,  the  wife,  the  ftrong,  the  young  and  beautiful  covered 
with  dull  and  worms?  Do  we  know  that  we  fliall  foon  be  like 
them,  and  fliall  we  not  be  clothed  with  humility  ? 

Now  we  have  clofed  another  year  and  centur)^  with  what 
fcriouihefs  fliould  we  refle6l,  that  fuch  an  important  portion  of 
time,  all  its  fabbaths  and  opportunities  are  pafl;  never  to, be  re- 
called ?  That  time  has  borne  us  on  fo  much  nearer  to  death,  judg- 
ment, and  our  final  doom  1  How  ferioufly  fliould  every  one  en- 
quire, am  I  prepared  for  thefe  great  events  ?  Do  my  preparations 
bear  any  proportion  to  the  rapid  advances  I  am  making  towards 
them  ?  What  if  this  year  fliould  be  my  lafl:  ?  What  would  be  my 
condition  ?  What  my  company  ?  Where  fliould  I  make  n-y  ever- 
lafting  abode  ? 

We  are  now  advanced  to  a  new  year  and  century.  The 
events  of  it  will  be  vafl:  and  momentous.  Old  kingdoms  andftates 
will  link,  and  new  ones  rife.  Millions  will  die,  and  millions  be 
born,  and  the  whole  earth  be  peopled  with  new  inhabitants. — 
States  which  are  now  fmall,  may,  b)'  the  clofe  of  the  prefent  cen- 
tury', out-nuniber  the  grcateft  kingdoms  in  Europe.  The  inhab- 
itants of  the  United  States,  at  their  ufual  ru-te  of  population,  will 
in  an  hundred  years,  amount  to  ninet)-lix  nuiiions|.     in  the  fame 

f  The  Rev.  Nathaniel  Taylor,  gf  New  MiiforJ,  who  tiied  Dtcembtr  9, 
iSoOy  in  the  79ih  year  of  his  age. 

{  On  fuppoittion  tiiat  the  iohabitants  of  the  United  Statea  now  amount  to 


C    33    3 

petiod,  more  than  twice  the  nnmber  of  mankind-  now  upon  th*. 
face  of  the  earth  will  be  fwcpt  away  by  the  hand  of  death. — • 
Solemn  thought  I  All  the  intelligence,  literature,  wifdom,  life 
and  beauty,  now  upon  earth  will  be  no  more ! ! !  If  Xerxes,  when 
lie  took  a  vifew  of  his  army  of  feventeen  hundred  thoufand  men, 
from  a  lofty  emiaence,  wept  at  the  refie6lion,  that  in  one  age 
they  would  ail  be  dead ;  how  fliould  our  hearts  melt  and  our 
eyes  run  down  with  tears  at  the  profpe6l  before  us  ?  In  this  we; 
fee  our  own  funerals^  the  death*  of  our  children,  and  of  all  our 
friends. 

From  pall- and  prefent  appearances,  and  from  a  general  view 
of  the  prophecies,  the  prefent  century  will  be  one  of  the  moft 
Eventful  and  interefting  periods,  in  which  GoD,  in  rapid  fuccef- 
fion,  will  be  carrying  into  execution  his  judgments  againft  his 
enemies,  and  effe6ling  the  great  events  preparatory  to  the  com-^ 
riencement  of  a  new,  more  pure,  peaceful  and  glorious  ilatc  of  the 
church. 

With  refpe£l  to  ourfelves,  we  know  that  we  thall  never  felt 

^liinother  century,  we  may  not  fee  another  year.     We  know  not 

what  a  day,  much  lefs  what  a  year  may  bring  forth.     From  the 

profpe6l  which  has  been  exhibited,  you  perceive  that  thoufandt 

will  die  in  this  State,  before  another  year,  and  numbers  among 

ourfelves.     Some  of  us — who,  and  how  many,  God  only  know9» 

inuft  exchange  worlds  and  go  to  judgment.     With  refpe6l  to  fuel? 

Sis  fhall  furvive,  they  may  be  called  to  lay  their  dear^ft  enjoyf 

ments  in  the  grave,  or  wounds,  licknefs,  or  misfortunes,  weariv 

forae  nights,  and  days,  and  months  of  vanity  may  be  appointesjt 

Unto  them.     How  highly,  therefore,  does  it  concern  us  all  to  be* 

gin  the  year  with  God  ;  with  an  immediate  preparation  for  thi 

invents  of  it,  whatever  they  may  be?  With  what  an  entire  fub» 

million  to  the  divine  will,  with  refpedl  to  all  the  occurrences  oi 

the  veai',  and  of  time  itfelf,  fliould  we  enter  upon  fuch  a  period^ 

While  we  behold  the  rage  of  the  wicked,  the  tumult  d,n<i  coafuiioi> 

of  the  nations,  how  the  floods  have  lifted  up  themf^ilves,  theiC 

voice  and  their  waves,  how  Ihould  we  rejoice,  that  ti>e  Lord  a* 

Jbigh^  is  mightier  than  the  noire  of  viany  it^atcrs  ^  ysa^  than  tbs 

,  mighty  viaves  of  the  sea?    That  he  rsignetb  av.d mill  reign  fot 

^mrf  T-faf  fU  ih§  %\asf  epucifrni  of  t^e  HniyHiS.  er^  fj\  tii  ktrndsj 


[•  34   3 

Sfid  that  be  tvill  govern  tbem  for  bis  own  glory ^  and  the  good  of 
kis  holy  kingdom  ? 

■\ 

As  our  condu6l  may  have  great  influence  on  the  countlefs 
millions  of  thofe  who  (hall  be  born,  live  and  die  after  us,  and  om 
the  prefent  and  future  happinefs  of  our  country,  how  pioufly^ 
righteoully,  and  circumfpe6lly  Ihoidd  we  live  ?  What  great  and 
united  exertions  (hould  be  made  for  the  inftrudlioii,  pious  and 
good  education  of  young  people,  and  to  make  the  generations  to 
come,  wife,  ufeful  and  good?  With  what  pains,  praycrfulnefa  and 
perfeverance  fliould  all  chrillians  exert  themfelves  to  dilfufe  chrif- 
tian  knowledge,  and,  as  far  as  poffibie,  to  fpread  the  golpel  to  the 
ends  of  the  earth?  The  honor  of  God,  his  love  to  men,  the  fal- 
"Vations  lie  hath  granted  unto  us  and  our  fathers,  the  diftinguifliing 
privileges,  and  countlefs  bleffings  we  now  enjoy,  love  to  God,  to 
bur  country,  and  to  fuch  an  innumerable  multitude  of  human  be- 
ings, combine  all  their  energies,  and  prefs  us  to  thofe  duties. 

We  are  now,  probably,  under  the  pouring  out  of  the  laft  part 
of  the  lixth  vial.  The  fpirit  of  devils  is,  doubtlefs,  gone  forth, 
TLW^  is  ftill  going  forth  unto  the  kings  of  the  earth,  and  to  the 
whole  world,  to  gather  them  tinto  the  tattle  of  the  great  day  of 
God  Almighty.  The  battle  is  probably  began,  and  will  Hill 
be  fought  with  greater  fury  and  wider  deftru6lion.  The  ten  kings 
will  deftroy  the  Romifli  anti-chrift,  burn  her  with  fire,  and  then, 
according  to  the  prophecies,  go  into  perdition  themfelves.  The 
Turkifh  empire  the  other  great  oppoier  of  God,  and  perfecutor 
of  the  faints,  will  fall  with  the  harlot  of  Babylon.  The  judg- 
ments of  God  in  the  century  paft,  and  at  prefent,  are  remarkably 
upon  it,  and  it  is  not  lefs  rapidly  declining  than  the  papal  intereft. 
Conftantinople  has  been  eighteen  times  on  fire,  the  laft  century,  in 
wliich,  more  than  12,0,000  thoufand  houfes,  befides  other  build- 
ings, were  burnt,  with  8000  inhabitants.  In  1750,  it  was  vif- 
ited  witli  the  plague,  in  which  it  loft  7000  people.  The  next 
year  it  was  alHiolt  deftroycd  by  an  earthquake,  in  which  3000 
more  periflied.  Other  -principal  cities  and  extenfive  countriea 
have  been  overthrown,  and  in  a  manner  ruined,  by  earthquakes*.' 
The  plague  at  feveral  times,  in  various  parts  of  the  empire,  hath 

•  Auguft  aa,  1752,  the  city  of  Adrianople,  the  fecond  in  opulence  and 
population,  in  the  empire,  wa«,  the  greate ft  part  of  it,  deltioyed  by  an  earthquake, 
September  a,  1754,  Grand  Cairo  had  two  thirds  of  its  buildings  fliaken  down, 
and  40,000  people  fwailowed  up.  In  1755,  f"">  ">  Morocco,  was  half  deftioyed 
by  an  earthquake,  and  12,000  Arabs  were  buried  in  its  ruins.  A  few  year» 
4nce  that  pait  of  the  country  was  almoft  defolated  by  the  plague.  Tippoo  Saib 
and  his  people,  lately  conquered  by  Great  Britain,  were  Mahometans.  Thtf« 
.^dgtRciits  har«  all  been  executed  vpon  people  of  that  denotniuatioD. 


C    35    3 

fwept  away  vaft  numbers  of  the  inhabitants.  Ruflia  has  made- 
important  conquefts  within  it,  and  greatly  impoverilhed  and 
weakened  the  Turks.  The  French,  in  their  invafion  and  con- 
queft  of  Egypt  and  the  adjacent  countries,  have  flain  a  prodigioua 
number  of  people,  and  feduced  many  others  to  rebel  and  take  arms 
againft  the  empire.  They  are  progreffing  in  their  conquefts,  and 
threaten  it  with  deftru6lion.  At  the  fame  time,  the  rebellion  and 
vii5lories  of  Paflawan  Oglou  are  of  an  afpe6l  no  lefs  menacing.—- 
In  this  tumult  of  the  nations  and  wreck  of  empires,  it  is  reafona- 
ble  to  expe«Sl  that  the  church  will  experience  days  of  perplexity 
and  danger.  Fortitude,  circumfpe^ion,  patience,  zeal,  prayer- 
fulnefs  and  felf-dcnial,  will,  therefore,  be  of  the  higheft  necefilty. 
The  language  of  the  Saviour  to  his  church,  at  this  period,  is. 
Behold^  I  come  as  a  thief:  Blessed  is  be  that  viatchetb  and  keepetb 
■bis  garments^  lest  be  'walk  naked^  and  tbey  see  bis  sbame. 

To  conclude,  while  I  afk  your  acceptance  of  my  grateful  ac- 
knowledgments, for  all  the  refpe^l,  kindnefs,  and  fupport  which  I 
have  received  from  you,  in  the  courfe  of  my  miniftry,  with  great 
paftoral  affe6lion,  and  delire  for  your  welfare,  I  wifh  you  a  happy 
Nkw  Year.  May  it  indeed,  be  a  year  of  the  richeft  blefilngs  ta 
you  and  your  families,  Elpecially,  may  it  be  a  year  of  fpiritual 
quickening,  peace  and  lalvation  to  all  this  flock,  to  this  town  and 
State,  to  the  United  Sfates,  and  the  whole  Ifrael  of  God.  That 
we  may  enjoy  the  fmiles,  and  abide  under  the  fhadow  of  the  Al- 
mighty, let  us  remember  bis  •wonders  of  old.  Let  us  meditate  also- 
of  all  bis  works ^  and  talk  of  bis  doings.  Let  the  end  of  years  and 
centuries  remind  us  of  the  end  of  time,  and  of  all  things ;  of  tha 
judgment  of  the  great  day,  and  of  the  ineffable  fcenes  of  eternity : 
and  let  us  all  be  prepared  for  them.  Whoso  is  ivw,  and  will  ob- 
serve tbose  things^  even  tbey  sball  understand  the  loving  kindness 
if  tbe  Lord, 


AMEN. 


ERRATA. 

Page  3,  laft  line  in  the  text,  for  work  read  works. 

Page  7,  marginal  note,  fourth  line  from  the  bottom,  for  38  mildt-^ 

read  38th  mile. 
Page  16,  marginal  note,  fifth  line  from  the  bottom,  for  90  read 


[    3ji  T 
APPENDIX. 

Tiir.  reafon  tliat  tlic  churches  of  fcveral  denoDunationSof,' 
xhrlllians,  have  not  been  more  particuhirly  noticed  in  the  jjreced-^ 
ing  difcourfc,  has  heen  the  want  of  accurate  information  rcfpe6l*" 
!.!«■  tliem.  Some  general  account,  liowcver,  may  be  of  fervice  to 
give  the  reader  a  fuller  view  of  the  American,  churches.  A,» 
there  happens  to  be  a  vacant  page  it  fhall  be  employed  for  that 
purpofe.  The  Dutch  reformed  churches  in  Americu'are  ancient 
and  refpe6lable.  Thei'e  were  in  the  State  of  New  Y»rk  and 
New  Jerfey,  about  ten  or  twelve  years  fince,  90  congregations 
of  this  denomination,  66  in  New  York,  and  24  in  New  Jerfey. — • 
Thefe  were  divided  into  five  clafles,  three  in  New  York,  and 
two  if?  New  Jerfey.  The  three  in  the  State  of  New  York,  are 
that  of  New  York,  containing  18  churches;  that  of  Kingfton, 
containing  23  ;  that  of  Albany,  containing  23  ;  and  there  arc 
four  rainifters  and  congregations  in  the  State  of  New  York  which 
are  annexed  to  the  Hackinfack  claffis  in  New  Jerfey.  In  that 
State  there  are  two  clafles,  the  claffis  of  Hackinfack  comprifmg 
nine  congregations,  exclufive  of  the  four  in  the  State  of  New 
York ;  and  the  clalfis  of  New  Brunfwick,  in  which  were  fifteen 
congregations.  Thefe  are,"i3rqbably,-nov/  increafed  to  more  than 
an  hundred  congi*egation9p-  Thefe  churches  were  formed  exaflly 
upon  the  plan  of  the  churches  in  North  Holland,  and  were  under 
the  direclion  of  the  claffis  of  Amfterdam,  until  after  the  Ameri- 
can revolution.  They  are  Calviniftic,  and  differ  in  nothing  ef- 
fentially  from  the  Prcfbyterians. 

SiNcn  about  the  middle  of  the  laft  century,  a  confiderahlc 
number  of  Germans,  Lutherans  and  Calvinifts,  have  made  fettie- 
tncnts  in  Pennfylvania.  The  number  of  their  minifters  and 
churches,  probably,  is  nearly  80.  There  are  twelve  or  more 
churches  of  German  Lutherans  in  New  York. 

There  are  in  New  York  and  Pennfylvania,  a  number  of 
churches  denominated  Seceders,  who  maintain  afeparate  ecclefi* 
jaiVical  jurifdi(jlion  ;  but  they  are  Calvlnifts,  and  differ  in  nothing, 
jnatcrially  from  the  Prcfbyterians. 

In  New  York,  New  Jerfey  and  Pennfylvania,  there  are  80, 
or  9^Baptifl:  churches.  In  the  Southern  States  there  are  many 
Baptifls  and  Methodifts  ;  but  their  numbers  cannot  be  afcertain- 
•■d.  In  Pennfylvania,  the  Friends,  or  Quakers,  are  the  moft  nu- 
merous denomination.  There  are  about  2.0  congregations  of 
Friends  in  the  S*>ate  of  New  York;  and  between  40  and  50  ii 
J>iew_  Jerfey. 

.  ^  In  Rhode  Jfland  there  are  a  number  of  congregations,  but  ii» 
•ther  parts  of  ^ew  England  there  are  few  of  Uu*  deaoniiaation. 


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